Jon Rahm officially makes shock move from PGA Tour to LIV Golf
LIV Golf, the Saudi-backed breakaway, have undoubtedly claimed their biggest coup to date, seeing one of the PGA Tour's biggest assets jump ship.
The PGA Tour and DP World Tour announced back in July that they had reached an agreement with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund for a merger of the three tours. However, final negotiations have proven to be difficult, with more talks set to take place in the coming weeks ahead of a December 31st deadline.
But Rahm's move will have sent shockwaves around the PGA Tour, and may nudge them towards completing an agreement with LIV Golf.
"I am proud to join LIV Golf and be part of something new that is bringing growth to the sport,” said Rahm 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."
Rahm said later in an interview on Fox News that it had been a tough decision to make the move.
"But there is a lot of things that LIV Golf has to offer that were very, very enticing," said the former world number one. He said money was one of the factors in his decision.
Rahm's decision to move to LIV is a dramatic U-turn after his previous statements. Back in February 2022, the Spaniard was adamant that he would remain on the PGA Tour.
“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," he said.
Very soon after that, he reiterated his position: “I’ve never really played the game of golf for monetary reasons. I play for the love of the game, and I want to play against the best in the world… I have always been interested in history and legacy, and right now the PGA Tour has that.”
More recently, he said just a few months ago: “I laugh when people rumour me with LIV Golf. I never liked the format. My heart is with the PGA Tour.”
Rahm is an 11-time winner on the PGA Tour, having his most successful season to date in 2023. He managed to pick up four titles, including his second major triumph at the Masters.
His position in Europe's Ryder Cup team will now come under huge threat, with his eligibility in question. Luke Donald will be desperate to have one of his key men available when they aim to retain the Ryder Cup in 2025 in New York, but his move now leaves this up in the air.
He will now join the likes of Brooks Koepka, Cameron Smith, Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau in LIV Golf ahead of the upcoming season.