Jon Rahm Is Joining LIV Golf, And Speculation on Terms of the Deal Continues

After failing to make a free-agent splash last offseason, LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman is making good on his promise of bringing in a big-name golfing talent to the young league.

After rumblings began last week that reigning Masters champion and world’s No. 2 golfer Jon Rahm would be joining the circuit, nearly every major source in the world of golf is reporting that Rahm-to-LIV is now a done deal. All that’s left is the official announcement and subsequent press conference, which are both reportedly imminent. 

Among those reporting that Rahm is joining LIV are Golf Channel, ESPN, and the Wall Street Journal. ESPN says that the deal is for at least four years, is worth more than $300 million, and Rahm will get an ownership stake in a new LIV team that he will captain. Some sources are reporting that the deal could be worth in excess of $500 million. 

Due to a ninth team coming on board, LIV fields will increase from 48 players to 52. 

The news was first reported by the Flushing It Golf social media account. The LIV Golf Updates account on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has also been reporting on the story.

On Thursday, LIV Golf Updates reported that Rahm is in New York City to meet with LIV execs, sign his contract, hold a photo shoot, and conduct interviews for the announcement. 

⛳️✈️ UPDATE: Jon Rahm has touched down in NYC ahead of meetings with LIV execs where they will prepare and finalize the last details of his move to #LIVGolf.

Topics today include details surrounding his new team and the league expansion that comes with it, future plans for LIV,…

— LIV Golf Updates (@LIVGolfUpdates) December 7, 2023

The big question that remains is why would Rahm leave the PGA Tour, and why would the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) give him a deal well into nine figures if they will be joining forces with the PGA Tour by the end of this month? PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said that Dec. 31 is a firm deadline for the parties to finalize the framework agreement that was agreed upon on June 6. 

Just over a year ago, Rahm sounded like someone who was pleased with his positioning on the PGA Tour. 

“Shotgun, three days, no cut to me is not a golf tournament,” Rahm said at the 2022 U.S. Open. “I want to play against the best in the world in a format that’s been going on for hundreds of years. Would my lifestyle change if I got $400 million? Not one bit.” 

Time will tell whether Rahm’s decision was financially motivated or whether there are other factors at play.

Cover Image via CBC