Jon Rahm confirmed the shock news that he is defecting to LIV Golf in a huge coup for the Saudi-backed breakaway group.
The two-time Major winner has signed a deal worth at least £238million, with some estimates that it could reach as high as £450m.
The 2023 Masters winner is the second current Major champion to join LIV after Brooks Koepka, but his deal is said to be considerably higher than other champions such as Koepka (rumoured $100m), Phil Mickelson ($200m) and Dustin Johnson ($150m).
Explaining his decision to step away from the PGA Tour, Rahm said: “Every decision I feel like we make in life there will be somebody who agrees and likes it and somebody who doesn’t, right.
“I made this decision because I believe it’s the best for me and my family and everybody I’ve been able to talk to has been really supportive of me, so I’m very comfortable with my decision.
“I’m no stranger to hearing some negative things on social media or in media. It’s part of what it is, we’re public figures but you just learn to deal with it right? This certainly won’t define who I am or change who I am.”
Rahm played a leading role in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory in Rome this year – but joining LIV places his future in the contest in serious jeopardy as he needs to remain a DP World Tour member to be eligible.
“My position for the Ryder Cup stands as it has always been. I love the Ryder Cup. I’ve explained many times how meaningful it is to me, and I hope I can be in future editions,” Rahm said.
“That’s not up to me right now. It’s a big risk to take, but I’ve considered it and I’m hopeful I can be part of the team again.”
“I wish I would have been able to call Luke and give him a heads up, but unfortunately I wasn’t in a position where I could do that.”
It marks a sharp U-turn in Rahm’s attitude to the LIV tour, consistently playing down speculation over whether he would join.
February 2022
Ahead of the inaugural season of LIV, there was speculation about who would be joining and Rahm’s message was clear.
“This is my official, my one and only time I’ll talk about this, where I am officially declaring my fealty to the PGA TOUR,” Rahm said.
“I’m a PAC member, and I have a lot of belief in (commissioner) Jay Monahan and the product they are going to give us in the future. It’s just not something I believe is the best for me and my future in golf, and I think the best legacy I can accomplish will be with the PGA TOUR.”
Those comments have been pointed out by people on social media.
One said: “Rahm proved his ‘fealty’ is worth zero.”
Another said: “The way this has all played out…LIV luring Rahm away with half a BILLION dollars, after he ‘pledged fealty’ to the PGAT, joined the dumba** simulator league, etc…is high comedy.”
June 2022
LIV had officially begun by the time the US Open came around in June 2022 and it was naturally the hot topic of conversation.
Rahm admitted that the breakaway tour format did not appeal to him.
“To be honest, part of the format is not really appealing to me. Shotgun three days to me is not a golf tournament, no cut. It’s that simple,” Rahm said in the pre-tournament press conference.
“I want to play against the best in the world in a format that’s been going on for hundreds of years. That’s what I want to see.
“There’s meaning when you win the Memorial Championship. There’s meaning when you win Arnold Palmer’s event at Bay Hill. There’s a meaning when you win, L.A., Torrey, some of the historic venues. That to me matters a lot.”
September 2022
Rumours continued to swirl about Rahm’s involvement with LIV and he even responded to reports on social media.
He said: “I must inform you that you have started a losing streak because you and your source are wrong. I want to thank you for the lift in the PIP.”
June 2023
The landscape for elite golf changed in June following the news that the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf have agreed to merge.
The sport has been divided and at loggerheads for several years now following the controversial creation of the LIV Tour.
It will combine their commercial operations and rights into a new, for-profit entity.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, who had been strongly against LIV, hailed the announcement as an ‘historic day for the game’.
This seemed to have altered Rahm’s opinion as his view on LIV appeared to soften.
“I think it gets to a point where you want to have faith in management, and I want to have faith that this is the best thing for all of us, but it’s clear that’s not the consensus,” Rahm said.
“I think the general feeling is that a lot of people feel a bit of betrayal from management.”
August 2023
As recently as August, however, he seem unequivocal in his commitment to the PGA Tour.
“I laugh when people rumour me with LIV Golf,” Rahm said, according to Joel Beall of Golf Digest.
“I never liked the format. And I always have a good time with Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia in the practice rounds of majors.
“Phil respects my decision, and I respect his. Mickelson has told me that I have no reason to go play for LIV, and he has told me that multiple times.”
https://talksport.com/sport/1669966/jon-rahm-pga-fealty-comments-liv-contract/
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