The rumors, this time, are true: Jon Rahm is headed to LIV Golf.
The 29-year-old Rahm, the current world No. 3, reigning Masters champion and 11-time PGA Tour winner, is expected to be announced as the most recent addition to the Saudi-backed league – and arguably LIV’s biggest signing yet – as early as Thursday afternoon, GolfChannel.com has confirmed with multiple sources privy to the matter.
Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis added Thursday on “Golf Today” that Rahm to LIV was happening barring a “pull of the rip cord by either side.”
For the past few weeks, there had been multiple reports that Rahm was not only in talks with LIV but also close to inking a deal with the PGA Tour’s rival league, which kicks off its third season Feb. 2-4 in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. GolfChannel.com learned earlier on Thursday that it was a done deal; Rahm had signed.
GolfChannel.com has reached out to Rahm’s agent for comment.
Rahm’s signing comes as the PGA Tour continues to negotiate a potential alliance with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which backs LIV, before a Dec. 31 deadline outlined in a framework agreement reached between the two parties, plus the DP World Tour, in June. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said he was slated to meet with PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan this week to continue talks.
Part of the initial framework deal included a non-solicitation agreement in which both parties would agree to not enter into “any contract, agreement or understanding” with any players who are “members of the other’s tour or organization.” However, that clause was removed from the finalized framework deal after a Department of Justice review of the document raised antitrust concerns.
For the longest time, Rahm has been among the Tour’s most understanding athletes toward LIV and its participants, which includes Phil Mickelson, Rahm’s mentor. And Rahm wasn’t afraid to voice his opinion that Sergio Garcia ought to be able to participate in the biennial games in Rome prior to the Ryder Cup. Rahm had, however, repeatedly vowed his “fealty” to the PGA Tour in parallel.
Rahm stated, “My heart is with the PGA Tour,” while discussing his distaste for LIV’s format, which includes 54-hole tournaments and shotgun starts, back at the 2022 U.S. Open, which was held a week after LIV’s debut event in London.
Should I inherit $400 million, how would my lifestyle change? No. It wouldn’t alter in the slightest, Rahm said to Brookline reporters. “To be honest, with the money I’ve earned, I could retire right now, lead a happy life, and never play golf again. I have never really played golf for financial gain. I want to compete against the greatest players in the world because I play for the love of the game. I’ve always been drawn to legacy and history, and the PGA Tour currently possesses both.
Rahm refuted a rumor that he was jumping to League of Legends later in the year, saying, “I must inform you that you have started a losing streak because you and your source are wrong,” in response to a Twitter account that had reported the rumor to be true.
In July of this year, Rahm also discussed LIV in a Spanish golf podcast co-hosted by Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, a fellow tour professional who has since entered the upcoming LIV’s Promotions event. Rahm informed Fernandez-Castano that prior to LIV’s official launch, he had a meeting in Mexico with Greg Norman, the CEO of LIV, after LIV had initially contacted him in early 2022.
“He started sending me numbers, numbers, and numbers, instead of convincing me with the history of golf, with what I love,” Rahm remarked. “I replied, ‘Talk to my manager,’ and we will discuss further later.'” That was the only time I discussed the matter with him. I responded by telling my manager that I didn’t find this appealing.
Rahm continued, “Phil respects my decision and I respect his decision,” later in the podcast. I have no need to visit LIV, he has informed me. And he has repeated that to me multiple times. Rahm also offered his opinions on Monahan, stating that “I only think it’s fair to give them the right time to work things out” and “I still think he’s been doing a great job.”
But in November, the gossip trail resumed. Two days into the month, Rahm pulled out of the now-postponed TGL, citing his inability to provide the necessary level of dedication. A few weeks after he competed in the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, reporter Alan Shipnuck tweeted that Mickelson had been informing people that Rahm to LIV was a “done deal.”
While Mickelson said, “This isn’t true, and I don’t know anything,” Rahm remained silent in response to Shipnuck. I haven’t said anything, and I don’t want to know anything. (It should be noted that Mickelson’s response was sufficiently ambiguous to suggest that he was refuting the rumor that he was telling people Rahm was joining LIV rather than that Rahm was actually joining LIV.)
Rahm’s commitment to the Tour remains, according to Rory McIlroy, who expressed his confidence earlier this month: “I spoke to Jon a couple days ago and would be very, very surprised if that were to happen.” Jon is definitely a player on the PGA Tour, in my opinion.
In response to additional rumors that Rahm would soon make his LIV announcement, a few Hero World Challenge competitors commented.
Jordan Spieth remarked, “I know there have been guys that have talked to him.” I am aware that he may be considering several options, or not. Since I’m not sure, I won’t insult him by saying that he’s considering his options even though I know he’s not or is. You know, in a way, I have no control over that. Of course, I could probably speak for more than 200 players on the PGA Tour when I say that we sincerely hope he stays with us.
And Tiger Woods, who was only questioned about “big-name players” who were allegedly heading for LIV, rather than Rahm specifically, said: “In theory, it could surprise me, but there have been a lot of interesting events in the past few weeks in addition to the last 48 hours, as you mentioned. Both changes have occurred and will occur in the future.
One of the largest shifts to date on the PGA Tour is Rahm’s decision to quit, as the tour loses one of its most valuable members.
Upon making their first shot on LIV, previous participants in LIV competitions have been barred from the PGA Tour.
Rahm will play in all four majors for the next five years at minimum if he wins the Masters this year. Thanks to his victory at Torrey Pines in the 2021 U.S. Open, he has a lifetime exemption into the Masters and is also free to enter the next eight U.S. Opens.
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