Many golf professionals have turned their backs on the PGA Tour since the launch of the Saudi Arabian LIV series. The impending change from superstar Jon Rahm could possibly go beyond all previous dimensions.
Golf hammer around Jon Rahm? As both the US broadcaster “ESPN” and the English newspaper “Telegraph” report with reference to their own sources, a move by the reigning Masters champion to the LIV Golf League is getting closer and closer. It is said that the deal takes on new financial dimensions.
While the Telegraph said on Tuesday evening that a change was now expected, the 29-year-old’s move will be announced shortly, according to a new ESPN report. Only a last-minute rethink would prevent the spectacular deal.
It should be clear that Rahm will cash in handsomely if a contract is signed. According to the US broadcaster, the agreement will run for three years and the contract volume will amount to more than 300 million US dollars, the equivalent of 278 million euros. Rahm will also be involved in a new LIV golf team, for which more professionals will be recruited.
According to the English newspaper “The Telegraph”, the current third-placed player in the world rankings can expect even greater income: a whopping 450 million British pounds, the equivalent of around 525 million euros.
What will happen to the LIV and the PGA Tour?
Jon Rahm is one of golf’s biggest stars. Between 2020 and 2021, the Basque was number one in the world rankings for over 30 weeks. In 2021 he won the US Open, and in 2023 he was able to put on the green jacket for the first time in Augusta as Masters winner. He also won the Ryder Cup in Rome with Team Europe.
The LIV Golf League was launched in 2022 with the help of the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. Since then she has competed on the prestigious and traditional PGA Tour. Players who decided to switch were initially banned from the PGA Tour.
At the beginning of June 2023, a merger of the LIV Tour with the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour was finally announced. However, it is still unclear whether the merger will actually take place. A deadline expires at the end of December by which a detailed contract should be presented. According to “The Athletic”, this will be postponed for the time being. For 2024, the still competing tours have published their own schedules.