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 [December 08, 2023]
By Steve Keating
(Reuters) - Masters champion Jon Rahm jumped from the PGA Tour to
Saudi-backed LIV Golf on Thursday in a big-money move that has sent
another shockwave through the sport.
The 29-year-old becomes the biggest name to sign on with the rebel
circuit funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) since
Australian Cameron Smith joined after winning the 2022 British Open.
"I am proud to join LIV Golf and be part of something new that is
bringing growth to the sport,” said Rahm in a statement from LIV
Golf. “I have no doubt that this is a great opportunity for me and
my family and am very excited for the future."
Rahm said later in an interview on Fox News that it had been a tough
decision to make the move.
"But there is a lot of things that LIV Golf has to offer that were
very, very enticing," said the former world number one. He said
money was one of the factors in his decision.
One of golf's most popular and charismatic figures, Rahm's departure
will be seen as another massive blow to the PGA Tour which has
watched many of its stars defect to the breakaway league lured by
massive paydays.
Media reports said the world number three will be paid at least $300
million with some outlets putting the guarantee at closer to $600
million.
Rory McIlroy has been the PGA Tour's biggest supporter and one of
the loudest critics of golfers signing on with LIV but the four-time
major winner was more diplomatic when it came to news of Rahm's
departure.
"It's hard to sit here and criticise Jon because of what a great
player he is and the experiences I have had with him," said McIlroy
on X, formerly Twitter. "I have nothing but good things to say about
Jon.
"I respect the hell out of him as a golfer and he seems like he
wants to live his life the right way.
"The thing I realise is you can't judge someone for making a
decision they feel is the best thing for them.
"Is it disappointing to me? Yes."
'NEW STAR'
Rumours of Rahm's switch to LIV Golf gathered steam when he pulled
out of next month's American Express tournament, a PGA Tour event he
has won twice before and where he is the defending champion.
He will make his LIV debut at the league's season opening event from
Feb. 2-4 at LIV Golf Mayakoba in Mexico.
LIV Golf commissioner and CEO Greg Norman said he always knew Rahm
was going to be one of the world's best.
"When I first met Jon at the age of 17, I knew then that the golfing
world was about to witness the birth of a new star," he said.
"He’s a generational talent who has proven his merit as a multiple
major champion and tremendous ambassador for global golf by placing
the game ahead of himself.
"There are very few athletes with his pedigree of talent,
leadership, poise, and commitment to bringing progress to the sport
on a worldwide stage."
Rahm joins a growing stable of major winners at LIV that already
includes Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Bryson
DeChambeau.
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Golf - The 2023 Ryder Cup - Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, Rome,
Italy - October 1, 2023 Team Europe's Jon Rahm acknowledges the
crowd as he walks past the Ryder Cup trophy on the 1st hole during
the Singles REUTERS/Yara Nardi/File Photo
The Spaniard had declared his "fealty to the PGA
Tour" last year but has since had a change of heart after the two
rival tours announced a landmark agreement in June to merge and form
a commercial entity to unify golf.
The announcement, which brought an end to legal battles between the
parties but triggered antitrust concerns from U.S. regulators, also
called for a definitive agreement to be reached by Dec. 31, although
the sides can agree to extend the deadline.
But with no agreement on the horizon, Rahm's capture is a coup for
LIV and boosts the tour's credibility.
'HERE TO STAY'
Rahm has been one of golf's most dominant players with 20 career
wins, including his two major titles.
He has won the DP World Tour Championship three times and played in
three Ryder Cups, helping Team Europe to victory in 2018 and 2023.
His trophy case also includes 2021 PGA of America Player of the Year
honours as well twice being voted European Tour (DP World Tour)
Golfer of the Year.
"LIV Golf is here to stay," proclaimed Lawrence Burian, LIV Golf
Chief Operating Officer. "The addition of Jon reemphasizes that our
league is not slowing down.
"We are continuing to invest and build aggressively for LIV's
long-term and exciting future."
The first wave of golfers to join LIV came under intense criticism
and were branded well paid mercenaries in a "sportwashing" scheme by
a nation trying to improve its reputation over its human rights
record.
McIlroy said he believed that the introduction of a framework
between the PGA Tour and LIV had reduced some of that tension.
"The landscape of golf changed on June 6 or whenever the framework
agreement was announced and I think because of that it made the jump
from PGA Tour to LIV a little bit easier for guys," said McIlroy on
X.
"They let the first guys really take the heat.
"This framework agreement basically legitimised what LIV was trying
to do and I think it has made it easier if that's really what you
want to do."
(Reporting by Steve Keating in Toronto; Editing by Christian
Radnedge, Stephen Coates, Peter Rutherford)
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