Massive Signing Bonus Lures Tyrrell Hatton to Join Jon Rahm’s LIV Golf Team

After it looked like Tyrrell Hatton might remain on the PGA Tour based on concerns that he would drop out of the top 50 of the Official World Golf Rankings, the deal has reportedly been done based on a couple recent incentives.

The Telegraph out of the United Kingdom reports that Hatton received a phone call from Jon Rahm over the weekend and a signing bonus of around £50 million (about $63 million in U.S. money) sealed the deal. 

Tyrrell Hatton
Phil Mickelson
Jon Rahm
Bryson DeChambeau
Brooks Koepka
Dustin Johnson
Cameron Smith
Patrick Reed
Sergio Garcia
Bubba Watson

LIV has taken so, so many personalities away from the PGA Tour. Headline guys. Memorable characters.

— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) January 29, 2024

It was reported a couple of weeks ago that Hatton would join Rahm’s team for LIV’s third season, which begins later this week in Mexico. But The Independent (also out of the U.K.) reported that Hatton was concerned if he dropped out of the top 50, he wouldn’t be eligible for the Ryder Cup or Majors.

There was also the issue of Hatton already signing a contract with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TGL. 

Tyrrell Hatton’s move to LIV means he’s out of TGL, Tiger and Rory’s simulator league, per sources. Rahm pulled out of TGL before going to LIV. A player must be a PGA Tour member in good standing to play in TGL. Another wrinkle in ongoing negotiations between PGA Tour and PIF. pic.twitter.com/3IbV5swlCy

— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) January 29, 2024

Like Rahm, Hatton isn’t planning to give up his membership to the DP World Tour.

Between that and any potential working agreement among the DPWT, PGA Tour, and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Hatton, Rahm, and others could very well be in play for the next Ryder Cup by time it rolls around in the fall of 2025.

Hatton, whose career earnings are about half of what he’s reportedly getting to join LIV, played in DPWT events in the Middle East this month and is also entered in both this week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and next week’s WM Phoenix Open.

The Telegraph reports an official announcement is expected Wednesday, which will then likely cause him to be suspended by the PGA Tour. 

Cover Photo via X