Former PGA Tour loyalist Jon Rahm admits LIV Golf payday prompted change of heart
- Planet Sport writer
- 26 February 2024
Jon Rahm admits there is little point in denying his shock decision to move to LIV Golf was motivated by the massive amount of money he was offered to join.
Rahm sent shockwaves through the sport in December when he announced he had accepted a lucrative offer - believed to be in the region of $500 million - to join the Saudi-backed breakaway tour, despite being one of the PGA Tour's staunches loyalists when LIV first surfaced.
And in case anyone thought he made the dramatic u-turn for any other reason than the small fortune he was offered to join -- guess again.
"I don't want to skip through this point cause there's no point, there's a big change in the way the golfers get compensated," Rahm said during an interview with ESPN. "I'd be lying if it wasn't a big part of it. In a nutshell, I'm getting paid more to play the same sport and have more time. I don't know about most people but that sounds good to me."
Meanwhile, after the PGA Tour essentially threw in the towel and announced plans to begin working with LIV Golf, it opened the door for players like Rahm to see the situation differently.
Asked about earlier statements he had made in which he was fiercely loyal to the PGA Tour, Rahm said: "From when I said that certain circumstances changed. The PGA Tour and PIF got to this agreement framework and to work together in the future.
"It opened my mind to being a little closed-minded towards this and maybe I should give myself a chance. As an athlete and an entertainer, I think I owe to myself to see the other side out."
Asked about any potential downsides to the move, Rahm seemed more concerned by any immediate blowback than what problems it may cause for the professional game down the line, though he stressed his only real duty was to create the best possible situation for his family.
"I think my biggest concern was a little bit of negative media backlash. The way I see it, if you want to, let's say, improve your position, I think you're free to go to job interviews," he said.
"I have the right to do what I think is best for myself and my family. Period. I've said it before, as a father and as a husband I have a duty to set my family up as best as possible. Not that we weren't, we're extremely privileged people, I'm aware of that, but it's my duty."
