Jon Rahm potential LIV deal worth over €550m

Two-time Major winner from Spain set to join Saudi-backed LIV Golf, dealing a blow to PGA Tour. Rumored $600M deal.

Spanish golfer Jon Rahm, a two-time Major champion, is reportedly on the verge of signing a lucrative deal to join LIV Golf, a move that would be a significant blow to the PGA Tour. According to The Wall Street Journal, Rahm, currently ranked as the world's No. 3 player, is expected to announce his defection to LIV Golf in the coming week. While the specific financial details of the deal were not disclosed, the Daily Mail reported that Rahm's potential move to LIV Golf could result in a staggering $600 million contract.

Rahm's potential departure from the PGA Tour comes at a critical time as the tour races to finalize an agreement to align with the Saudi-backed league before the December 31st deadline. The PGA Tour had previously announced a partnership with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, but the impact of Rahm's move on this alliance remains uncertain.

The 29-year-old golfer has enjoyed a successful career, securing 11 PGA Tour victories, including the 2021 US Open and the 2023 Masters. With career earnings of $51.5 million since joining the tour in 2016, Rahm's rumored contract with LIV Golf would far exceed his current earnings.

Despite Rahm's strong support for the PGA Tour in the past, his recent withdrawal from the Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy-led TGL virtual golf league and his hesitation to commit to playing in the American Express in La Quinta, California, suggest a potential shift in his allegiance. Rahm's decision to join LIV Golf would further bolster the league's roster, which already includes top players such as Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, and Bryson DeChambeau.

As the golf world eagerly awaits the official announcement of Rahm's move, the potential impact of his departure on the PGA Tour and its partnership with the Saudi-backed league remains a topic of intense speculation.