As PGA Tour Allies Take the Edge Off Jon Rahm, Is the Ruthless Treatment the Reason Behind the Master Champion’s Potential Switch to LIV Golf?

The PGA Tour’s Players Impact Program rankings have caused a lot of controversy in recent days. Some Tour players questioned the rationale behind paying out to only select 20 players a whopping $100 million while there are more than 150 players on the Tour, indicating that marginal players are getting ignored. But it’s not just the peripheral players, bigwigs like Jon Rahm have also suffered. 

Rory McIlroy becoming the PIP winner, surprised many, though Tiger Woods still retains a place in the top three. The 47-year-old golfer has played only two events this season while withdrawing from one due to an ankle injury. McIlroy, although, appeared in 17 events after pulling out of two mandatory designated events, that’s still three less than third-placed Rahm. Yet, the Northern Irish International walked away with $15M prize money, while Rahm pocketed $6M less.

Is Jon Rahm underappreciated in the Tour?

Interestingly, PIP focuses more on the off-course performance to determine the most impactful players. Nielsen brand exposure, Google search data, media mentions, MARC Golf Population Awareness, and MARC Golf Fan Awareness are the key metrics. Ironically, barring the first, the other four solely measure how well-known the golfer is.

Simply put, it’s a way of rewarding the most popular names on the Tour. So, Woods, despite playing in limited events for the last three years, topped the chart in the last two editions. This time, Rory McIlroy, despite missing two designated events, tops the list. Rahm, on the other hand, missed only one, the Wells Fargo Championship. Notably, the designated events were billed as the hallmark of the new era, one which will “transform and set the future direction” of the PGA Tour. As per Tour rules, players are allowed to miss only one designated event. 

Contrarily, the PIP seems to reward the Northern Irish golfer for being one of the most vocal supporters of the Tour in its battle with LIV Golf. McIlroy’s bold statements have kept him in the limelight. It seems Rahm, despite winning four times this year, including in the Masters has been overshadowed by his peers, courtesy of his rather neutral stance.

If the Spanish linksman feels a little undervalued by the Tour, he won’t be the first one. Bryson DeChambeau spoke about his ideas being snubbed in the PGA Tour, but LIV Golf gave him the chance to prove himself as a leader. Is Rahm going in the same direction?

Rahm to LIV Golf – a done deal?

Jon Rahm has always been linked to the breakaway league since its inception. However, the Spaniard has brushed aside the rumors, saying the format doesn’t interest him – a point that is the only roadblock in his switch, according to some. But his bowing out of Tiger Woods’ TGL  has raised the speculations once more.

Read More: As One More PGA Tour Comrade Deserts Him, Will Tiger Woods Make an Unexpected Comeback at the Hero World Challenge?

Moreover, Rahm has good relations with many LIV Golf players including his veteran compatriot, Sergio Garcia, and American pro Phil Mickelson. Interestingly, Mickelson’s brother was his coach as well. Alan Shipnuck, the author of “LIV and Let Die”, recently tweeted that Mickelson is talking in close quarters that Rahm’s switch to LIV  is a done deal.

As of now the main concern for LIV Golf players is their chances of playing in Majors. Rahm, by virtue of winning the Masters, has a five-year exemption in the Majors. Although McIlroy would be surprised if Rahm moved to the PIF-funded league, there is more than one reason for it if that comes to be.

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