Jon Rahm has been linked with making a move to the LIV Golf setup, and the Spaniard would become the latest big-name PGA Tour star to be handed a mega-money contract
The abundance of the Public Hypothesis Resource of Saudi Arabia (PIF) has made the Middle Eastern state maybe of the best player in sport, and its move into capable golf has been conceivably of its most noteworthy.
PIF picked to promise its subsidizes behind the LIV Golf game plan, and the uber cash backing of the Hypothesis Resource has take off the breakaway relationship to the most noteworthy mark of the raising a ruckus around town pyramid. LIV’s splendid rising has not been a quiet one, with the game’s driving circuit the PGA Visit putting forth a fair attempt to overcome the headway of the Saudi-upheld affiliation.
Unfortunately for the PGA Visit, cash talks, and the breakaway association have since had the option to bait in a portion of the game’s greatest names who thusly were compensated with rewarding marking rewards.
The latest big name tipped to make the Saudi switch is Masters champion Jon Rahm, and if the Spaniard does sign on the dotted line it has been suggested he will become the league’s biggest earner. In recent days a number of reports have claimed Rahm could be handed a mammoth £475 million ($600m) if he does part ways with the PGA Tour.
At this point Rahm’s links to the breakaway league are unconfirmed rumours, but if they are to come true the Masters champion would make LIV Golf history with his alleged signing bonus. From Phil Mickelson to Brooks Koepka, here is a look at some of the biggest reported signing fees.
Phil Mickelson
Arguably LIV’s biggest coup proved to be six-time major champion Mickelson, and since his move the left-hander has become somewhat of a poster boy for the Saudi-funded series. He appeared to state his allegiances to the rebel league months before it was eventually formed in June 2022, in a now infamous interview with Fire Pit Collective.
Mickelson proceeded to open up on his links to the PIF, describing those in charge of Saudi Arabia as ‘scary mother f******’ amid their poor human rights record. The American however had already made his mind up, and was rewarded with an alleged £159 million ($200m) signing fee when joining the LIV setup.
Cam Smith
The most in-form player LIV Golf was able to lock in was Aussie star Cam Smith. Just weeks after becoming Open champion at St Andrews and announcing himself as the second-best golfer on the planet, Smith confirmed that he had joined the breakaway league.
Opening up on his choice in the outcome, Smith conceded he choice was a business one, with cash having an impact in the move. What’s more, that shocks no one, with an eye-watering figure of £113 million (£143m) marking reward purportedly gave to the Aussie on the rear of his Saudi switch.
Dustin Johnson
A second big name to join the initial wave defectors led by Mickelson was former Masters champion, and PGA Tour staple, Dustin Johnson. In the wake of Mickelson’s Saudi comments in February 2022, Johnson played down any chance of him making the Saudi switch by ‘committing’ to the PGA Tour.
Things quickly changed for the former world No. 1 though. Just four months later it was announced that Johnson had in fact opted to sign on the dotted line with Norman and co, and according to the Telegraph it was a £100 million ($125m) signing bonus that proved enough to twist his arm.
Brooks Koepka
Like Johnson, Koepka was one of the many PGA Tour stars to pledge their loyalties to the American-based circuit when rumours of a Saudi Golf League initially surfaced early last year. He too opted to go back on his word, as he joined the LIV setup following the end of their maiden event at Centurion.
Speaking in February 2022, the five-time major champion claimed: “Somebody will sell out and go to it,” when discussing the potential of a rival Saudi league. And this somebody turned out to be Koepka himself, who allegedly earned a £79 million ($100m) bonus for his change of heart.
Bryson DeChambeau
In the years paving the way to LIV Golf’s development, Koepka ended up entangled in a wild competition with individual star Bryson DeChambeau. Notwithstanding being rivals on the PGA Visit, the pair before long became partners when DeChambeau additionally selected to join LIV the previous summer.
Comparably to Koepka, the previous U.S. Open boss was tricked in with a super cash offer, likewise getting a detailed £79 million ($100m) marking expense for promising his loyalties to the Saudi-upheld series.