Home/Golf

via Reuters

via Reuters

0
  Debate

Debate

If Jon Rahm joins LIV Golf, is it the final nail in the PGA Tour's coffin?

Jon Rahm signed a nine-figure deal with LIV Golf back in 2023 December. He started playing in the breakaway league in the 2024 season. When the Spaniard signed the deal, he was the second-highest earner on the PGA Tour, with reported earnings of $400 million. However, his inaugural season with the Saudi-backed league has not been as successful as expected. After going winless for seventeen months straight, Rahm finally secured his first victory at LIV Golf UK last month. This was also his first victory in the new league.

Missing the cut at the PGA Championship, barely making it at the Masters, and dealing with a foot injection at the US Open, even his Major rounds did not go as planned. The only bright spot was his T7 finish at the British Open this year. But it seems Rahm might be regretting his move to LIV Golf after all these setbacks. Rumors suggest that after these disappointments, Rahm is second-guessing his decision to switch leagues.

Steve Striker states that Jon Rahm is not happy with his shift

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Steve Stricker, the 57-year-old veteran Tour golfer, mentioned after his pro-am round ahead of the 2024 Cologuard Classic that he knows some LIV Golfers who wish to return to the PGA Tour. “I know that for a fact. And so it’s kind of a wait-and-see game.” Many players were reportedly concerned about joining LIV Golf long before the current issues with Jon Rahm. Stricker also expressed his hope that the rift would eventually heal. “Ultimately, I hope someday we all can play nice together again and have the best players in the world playing and competing against one another,” he added.

NUCLR Golf took to their official X account, a few hours ago. Looks like Golf Digest’s Jaime Diaz has a pretty much similar statement about Rahm. He said, “I am 100 percent positive that if Jon could give the money back to the Saudis and come back to the tour, he couldn’t write the check fast enough. Now there are only four times a year when he’s playing that anybody is remotely interested. He thought his stature in the game was secure no matter where he was playing, and it was a bad miscalculation.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Jon Rahm has not yet surrendered his Tour membership, unlike players such as Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed have already done so. He still does not believe he is entirely on the other side of the Tour. “I don’t feel like I’m on the other side. I’m just not playing there. That’s at least personally,” he said. Despite the rumors, Rahm has consistently stated that he just wants to be a well-wisher, and the speculations regarding his dissatisfaction are not true.

What’s your perspective on:

If Jon Rahm joins LIV Golf, is it the final nail in the PGA Tour's coffin?

Have an interesting take?

Jon Rahm clears the air of confusion

Jon Rahm has publicly stated that he is content with his decision to move to LIV Golf. He has hinted that some decisions are made for the family. With ample time to spend with his loved ones and the ability to continue playing golf, he believes he has achieved what he dreamed of.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Rahm is currently teeing off at White Sulphur Springs, aiming for his second consecutive victory in Greg Norman’s league. After the opening round, he is tied for fourth position with Matt Jones, Brooks Koepka, and Richard Bland, with a 6-under score. They are just one stroke behind the three tied leaders. The highlight? Rahm not only went bogey-free but also carded an eagle on the fifth hole. His game does indeed seem to be heating up!

Do you think Jon Rahm is really happy with the shift? Or is he regretting the move? Let us know in the comments section below!