Jon Rahm’s move to LIV Golf in 2023 was one of the most controversial in golfing history, but the Spanish star has been handsomely rewarded for his decision to switch tours
Jon Rahm announced he was joining LIV Golf in December 2023(Image: Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Jon Rahm’s decision to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf has not sat well with golf legend Tiger Woods. The former US Open and Masters champion, Rahm, sent shockwaves through the golf community when he agreed to join the rival tour in 2023.
Before his switch to LIV, Rahm had been adamant about staying with the PGA. The Spanish star had previously dismissed the idea that the lucrative contracts offered by LIV would sway him, before making a surprising change of heart.
“Money is great, but when [wife] Kelley and I… this first thing happened, we started talking about it, and we’re like, will our lifestyle change if I got $400million? No, it will not change one bit,” Rahm said during the 2022 US Open.
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“Truth be told, I could retire right now with what I’ve made and live a very happy life and not play golf again. So I’ve never really played the game of golf for monetary reasons.
Rahm has earned huge prize money on the LIV Golf circuit(Image: Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
“I play for the love of the game, and I want to play against the best in the world. I’ve always been interested in history and legacy, and right now the PGA Tour has that.”
Rahm reportedly joined LIV in a deal worth up to $590 million. Additionally, as a two-time individual champion on the LIV Golf tour, he earns an impressive amount in prize money, which may explain why he was enticed to leave the PGA.
According to Spanish publication Sport, Rahm has already earned $52 million after just 24 LIV events. In contrast, the two-time major winner raked in $51 million in prize money from 153 events on the PGA Tour.
National Club Golfer reports that Rahm’s total LIV prize money is a whopping $74.9 million, including a combined $36 million for his two individual season victories. However, not everyone was thrilled when Rahm accepted LIV’s nine-figure offer.
After joining LIV, Rahm disclosed that golf superstar Woods didn’t respond to his text message. He told ESPN in February 2024: “I mean, Tiger, I texted him and the people that try to reach out, you know, the process, when I signed.
The Genesis Invitational host, Tiger Woods of the United States, presents the trophy to Jon Rahm of Spain(Image: Getty Images)
“And I just let him know, ‘Hey, you know, this is a personal decision. I have nothing against anybody.’ This is a new change. A big change. I don’t want to skip through this point: A big change how golfers get compensated.
“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a big part of it. 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.”
Despite Woods’ silence, Rahm revealed that Rory McIlroy did reply. “Rory has been supportive publicly of my decision, and he was privately as well,” Rahm shared.
The 30 year old golfer was one of McIlroy’s teammates during Team Europe’s Ryder Cup victory at Bethpage Black last month. Rahm contributed three points to Europe’s 15-13 win over Team USA.
