Jon Rahm Simplifies Move to LIV: More Money for Less Work

After being relatively quiet after his video conference call after joining LIV Golf, Jon Rahm sat down with ESPN’s Marty Smith for a wide-ranging interview about his new home tour, Tiger Woods, and more.

Rahm addressed his comments from two years ago when he said he would remain on the PGA Tour and that a no-cut, 54-hole tournament was not a real golf tournament. He said that the framework agreement reached by the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) allowed him to reconsider a move to LIV.

Jon Rahm on why he left for LIV. pic.twitter.com/4XBokfDP4b

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“When the PGA Tour and the PIF got into this framework agreement and agreed to work together in the future, I think it opened my mind to maybe – I’ve been a little bit closed-minded towards this and maybe I should give myself a chance, as an athlete and entertainer, I think I owe it to myself to hear the other side out, and that’s what I did,” Rahm said.

While that move opened Rahm’s mind to joining LIV, he did say that the money (a reported $500 million signing bonus) played a big part in his decision.

“As a father and as a husband, I have a duty to set my family up as best as possible, not that we weren’t, we’re extremely privileged people, I’m aware of that, but it’s my duty,” Rahm added. “The way I see it at the end of the day is if you want to improve your position or to what you think is a better position, I think you’re free to go and do job interviews.

“In a nutshell, I’m getting more to play the same sport and have more time. I don’t know about most people, but that sounds great to me.”

Rahm also shared that while Rory McIlroy was public in his support of the Spaniard’s move, it wasn’t the case with Tiger Woods.

“Rory has been supportive publicly of my decision and he was privately as well. Tiger – no, not really. I texted him and the people that tried to reach out throughout the process of when I signed and I just let him know, ‘Hey, this is a personal decision, I have nothing against anybody,’” Rahm said.

Jon Rahm hasn’t heard back from Tiger after joining LIV Golf. 😳

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Based on his wins in the 2021 U.S. Open and 2023 Masters, Rahm won’t have to worry about not qualifying for a major for a while. He’ll be defending his Green Jacket this April. He also expressed his desire to play in PGA Tour and DP World Tour events if allowed.

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