Jon Rahm sensationally defected to LIV Golf in December, becoming the latest high-profile player to turn his back on the PGA Tour – but what has happened since?
Jon Rahm defected to LIV Golf in December last year
Jon Rahm became the latest high-profile acquisition for LIV Golf in December, dealing a devastating blow to the PGA Tour. The move was unexpected, especially considering the Spaniard’s previous remarks about the breakaway tour.
Not only had he praised the history and legacy of the PGA and scoffed at the idea of leaving, he also criticised LIV Golf’s 54-hole format and claimed he wasn’t enticed by the massive contracts the competition – funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) – was offering to defectors. However, in a surprising twist, the 29-year-old signed with LIV eight months ago, reportedly becoming the highest-paid player in golf history.
The deal was announced several months after rumours of a potential partnership between the PGA and LIV surfaced. Yet, the details of the partnership are still to be finalised, and while LIV players have been given the go-ahead to compete at any of the PGA’s four major events, full collaboration between the two tours is still a long way off. Here, The Express examines Rahm’s situation and what lies ahead for the former World No. 1.
Rahm’s record-breaking LIV Golf deal
Rahm’s switch last year raised many eyebrows, not just because of his previous comments about LIV but also due to the staggering amount of money involved. Reports suggest that the 2023 Masters champion inked an astonishing $500million (£386m) contract – the largest in LIV Golf history.
The blockbuster move has set a new high-water mark in the sport, eclipsing the £160m deal handed to Phil Mickleson in 2022. The Spaniard’s contract, which runs until 2028, also reportedly includes shares in the tour, access to a Saudi Royal Family private jet, and a dedicated team of 10 personal assistants for him and his family.
Texting Tiger Woods
Rahm, who had previously stood with golf giants like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in committing to the PGA Tour, reached out to them after his switch. While McIlroy has publicly and privately supported Rahm’s choice, Woods seems to have given him the cold shoulder.
“I mean, Tiger, I texted him and the people that try to reach out, you know, the process, when I signed and I just let him know, ‘Hey, you know, this is a personal decision. I have nothing against anybody’,” Rahm told ESPN in February. Despite hints that Woods hasn’t responded to his messages, Rahm revealed: “Rory has been supportive publicly of my decision, and he was privately as well.”
Tiger Woods appears to have given Jon Rahm the cold shoulder following his LIV Golf switch (Image: Getty)
Slow start since LIV move
Despite his massive paycheque for makingthe switch, Rahm hasn’t hit the ground running with LIV. It was generally expected that he would quicky secure multiple titles as the year kicked off, but thus far, the two-time major champion hasnt managed a single win on the tour.
Speaking ahead of the 10th competition of the season in Andalucia, in his homeland Spain, he emphasised that the 54-hole format, which he has previously denounced as “not proper golf”, is not affecting his performance. That said, he has appealed to those in charge to think about transitioning to 72 holes.
He also gave himself “six out of ten” for his efforts, insisting he just needed to find some consistency. “There’s been weeks where I feel like I scored a lot better than I felt,” Rahm told reporters. “And there’s been a couple weeks where it could have been better.
“[I] haven’t won yet so that would deduct quite a bit from [my rating for the season]. I would say maybe six out of 10 if I had to say. But the year is not over. [There is] still a lot to play for.”
Jon Rahm’s form hasn’t been great this season
A possible PGA Tour return
Despite being a controversial figure in PGA circles, Rahm has not ruled out a return to the tour. Speaking ahead of the Masters in April, he confessed his enduring affection for the PGA Tour, stating: “I hope I can compete there again.”
He justified his departure by prioritising his family’s interests, saying: “At the end of the day, I did what I thought was best for me and my family.” He did, however, admit to missing certain venues, adding: “It’s no secret that there’s some venues that I miss being at. Not being at Palm Springs, Torrey [Pines], Phoenix and LA wasn’t the easiest – those are venues that I absolutely love.
“I still love the PGA Tour and I still hope at some point I can compete there again.”
