Jon Rahm’s “thankful” LIV Golf comments explain proposed £475million PGA Tour exit
Jon Rahm is one of the biggest names in European sport and could be leaving the PGA Tour for LIV Golf in the near future, with a deal reportedly worth £475 million in talks.
Jon Rahm has spoken very positively about his LIV golf in the past, as questions continue to dominate the golf world about his future on the PGA Tour.
Rahm, 29, is believed to be in talks with bosses at LIV Golf over a possible withdrawal from the PGA Tour. He is yet to reach an agreement with the Masters champion and the Saudi support circuit, but rumors suggest he could receive a salary of £475 million.
Rory McIlroy and other big-name stars have visited LIV Golf in the past, with players such as Ian Poulter and Phil Mickelson also taking part in the controversial tour. But Rahm, who won the 2021 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, has been sitting on the fence for most of LIV Golf’s existence.
Rahm has previously expressed a desire to continue competing in the biggest tournaments such as majors, so it’s understandable why some of the biggest names in the sport would join LIV Golf.
Last year, PGA Tour players even said they were “grateful” to LIV Golf.
The PGA Tour, which has a unique partnership with Saudi Arabia, has persuaded some of its most popular stars to ignore LIV Golf by changing its schedule and increasing prize money.
“I think on our side we’re grateful that LIV happened,” Rahm said last December.
“He doesn’t know if these changes would have happened if LIV hadn’t been involved. So, in a way, we have to be thankful… I don’t think this year (2022, when LIV Golf was launched) was a bad year for golf. Yes, there are some disagreements, but I think we are making progress.
“As I said, this site needs to make a lot of changes to his LIV releases. I don’t think that’s a bad thing.” I just hope that the negative things, like, this whole thing feels like, yeah, the hostility goes away… LIV can do their job and the PGA Tour can do their thing.
I can understand the appeal that other people find in LIV golf.'' Still, he criticizes the 54-hole format. "For me, Shotgun Three Days is not a golf tournament, nor is it a cut," the Spaniard admitted. It’s that simple.”
It remains to be seen whether Rahm will take the step or not if he joins golf. According to Bunkered, he was in talks with the Greg Norman-led circuit. A source told the golf magazine that Rahm is “closer than ever to joining.”
Rahm has already withdrawn from the TGL, a new tournament founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in conjunction with the PGA Tour. The two-time major champion’s decision to withdraw from TGL has only increased speculation about his future.
