US Masters champion Jon Rahm joins LIV Golf in huge blow to PGA Tour

LOS ANGELES – US Masters champion Jon Rahm jumped from the PGA Tour to Saudi-backed LIV Golf on Dec 7 in a big-money move that has sent another shockwave through the sport.

The 29-year-old becomes the biggest name to sign on with the rebel circuit funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) since Australian Cameron Smith joined after winning the 2022 British Open.

“I am proud to join LIV Golf and be part of something new that is bringing growth to the sport,” said the Spanish world No. 3 in a statement from LIV Golf.

“I have no doubt that this is a great opportunity for me and my family and am very excited for the future.”

He said later in an interview on Fox News that it had been a tough decision.

“But there is a lot of things that LIV Golf has to offer that were very, very enticing,” said the former world No. 1. He said money was one of the factors in his decision.

One of golf’s most popular and charismatic figures, Rahm’s departure will be seen as another massive blow to the PGA Tour, which has watched many of its stars defect to the breakaway league lured by massive pay cheques.

Media reports said he will be paid at least US$300 million (S$400 million), with some outlets putting the guarantee at closer to US$600 million.

Rory McIlroy has been a huge supporter of the PGA Tour and one of the loudest critics of golfers signing on with LIV, but the four-time Major winner was more diplomatic when it came to news of Rahm’s departure.

“It’s hard to sit here and criticise Jon because of what a great player he is and the experiences I have had with him. I have nothing but good things to say about Jon,” said the Ulsterman on social media platform X.

“I respect the hell out of him as a golfer and he seems like he wants to live his life the right way.

“The thing I realise is you can’t judge someone for making a decision they feel is the best thing for them. Is it disappointing to me? Yes.”

Rumours of Rahm’s switch to LIV Golf gathered steam when he pulled out of January’s American Express tournament, a PGA Tour event he has won twice before and where he is the defending champion.

He will make his LIV debut at the league’s season-opening event from Feb 2 to 4 at LIV Golf Mayakoba in Mexico.

LIV Golf commissioner and CEO Greg Norman said he always knew Rahm was going to be one of the world’s best.

“When I first met Jon at the age of 17, I knew then that the golfing world was about to witness the birth of a new star,” the 68-year-old said.

“He’s a generational talent who has proven his merit as a multiple Major champion and tremendous ambassador for global golf by placing the game ahead of himself.

“There are very few athletes with his pedigree of talent, leadership, poise and commitment to bringing progress to the sport on a world stage.”

Rahm joins a growing stable of Major winners at LIV that already includes Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau.

The Spaniard had declared his “fealty to the PGA Tour” in 2022, but has since had a change of heart after the two rival tours announced a landmark agreement in June to merge and form a commercial entity to unify golf.

The announcement, which brought an end to legal battles between the parties but triggered antitrust concerns from United States regulators, also called for a definitive agreement to be reached by Dec 31, although the sides can agree to extend the deadline.

However, with no agreement on the horizon, Rahm’s capture is a coup for LIV and boosts the tour’s credibility.

He has been one of golf's most dominant players with 20 career wins, including his two Major titles – his first was the 2021 US Open.

He has won the DP World Tour Championship three times and played in three Ryder Cups, helping Team Europe to victory in 2018 and 2023.

His trophy case also includes 2021 PGA of America Player of the Year honours, as well twice being voted European Tour (DP World Tour) Golfer of the Year.

He added: “We are continuing to invest and build aggressively for LIV’s long-term and exciting future.”

The first wave of golfers to join LIV came under intense criticism and were branded well-paid mercenaries in a “sportwashing” scheme by a nation trying to improve its reputation over its human rights record.

McIlroy said he believed that the introduction of a framework between the PGA Tour and LIV had reduced some of that tension.

“The landscape of golf changed on June 6 or whenever the framework agreement was announced and I think because of that, it made the jump from PGA Tour to LIV a little bit easier for guys,” said McIlroy on X.

“They let the first guys really take the heat. This framework agreement basically legitimised what LIV was trying to do and I think it has made it easier if that’s really what you want to do.”

The world No. 2 added that the DP World Tour must tweak the rules on qualification for the Ryder Cup following Rahm’s move.

“Jon is going to be in Bethpage in 2025 so, because of this decision, the European Tour are going to have to rewrite the rules for Ryder Cup eligibility,” the 34-year-old told Sky Sports.

“There’s absolutely no question about that – I certainly want Jon Rahm on the next Ryder Cup team.” REUTERS