The future of LIV Golf is increasingly uncertain. But what do the next few years hold for Jon Rahm?
Jon Rahm admits he was “surprised” that LIV Golf had its funding pulled by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – and the Spaniard isn’t sure if there is a way out of his current contract.
The PIF announced last week that it would end its multi-billion financial backing of LIV, which has created huge uncertainty around the future of the breakaway league. That was despite Rahm being told that the sovereign wealth fund would be “funding through for many years.”
TG understands that several LIV players have been seeking contingency plans in case the circuit shuts down next year. Rahm, meanwhile, has reached a separate agreement with the DP World Tour which will make him eligible again to play on the circuit, as well as in next year’s Ryder Cup.
But it appears the future of LIV could soon hinge on the ability of its CEO Scott O’Neil and its new strategic advisors to secure outside investment. A newly appointed LIV board is being led by advisors Gene Davis and Jon Zinman – who are said to have “proven track records of navigating complex situations”.
Speaking ahead of LIV’s latest event in Virginia, Rahm weighed in on the frantic period of uncertainty.
“Honestly I think the initial news and rumors over there in Mexico, since we’re in a tournament week, I almost just tried to act as if it was just rumors, right?” Rahm said.
“Because we’re competing, I didn’t want to waste any energy on an already demanding week thinking about it. So for me, the reality kind of came afterwards. I would say, like everybody, surprised, obviously unexpected. We did hear the news that there would be funding through for many years, so unexpected.
“Then as the future of the league goes, I think that’s obviously a question for the business people. We want to be here. It’s been a lot of fun. I want to keep competing. I want to keep sharing some time with them. “But only time will tell. Scott and his team have a lot of hard work to do, but obviously they’re experienced in the area, and that’s why they’ve been chosen to take this role.”
Rahm was then asked bluntly at Trump National if he would be able to get out of his LIV contract early if he so desired. The two-time major winner is believed to have two more years left on his current deal.
“I’ll say I’m also not a lawyer,” he replied. “I have no idea. I couldn’t tell you. I have very few talents in my life, and reading a contract or business are not two of them.
“Again, like you just said, as of right now, I have several years on my contract left, and I’m pretty sure they did a pretty good job when they drafted that.
“So I don’t see many ways out, and as of right now, I’m not really thinking about it since we still have a season to play and majors to compete for.
“It’s not something I want to think about just yet.”