As Jon Rahm strives to defend his Masters title this year, a significant irony awaits him. In 2023, he was viewed by some as the PGA Tour’s rescuer following an exhilarating final round where he thwarted Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson who had defected to LIV. However, now it is Rahm who has departed for the breakaway circuit after switching sides last December.
Additionally, Rahm holds the title of being LIV’s main attraction and their most significant achievement. Though he participates in this year’s Masters like last time as a 29-year-old Spaniard, his presence alongside 12 other LIV members will evoke an entirely distinct atmosphere. Given all the transformations that have occurred since then, it comes to no shock that even Rahm himself had gone through a transformation with regards to his language choice.
Rahm expressed complete positivity towards the LIV Golf format during his podcast appearance published in late March where he spoke about it extensively.
He explained that while there are some differences in this tournament, such as the shotgun start and three rounds, he personally doesn’t focus on the limited number of rounds once he’s playing. Additionally, having set competition hours makes it more accessible for fans to follow. The change in atmosphere with music and a unique vibe also appeals to younger generations who may not have previously been interested in golf. He encourages those who haven’t experienced this tournament yet to come watch because it offers something new and enjoyable.
If you’ve been keeping up with the professional golf scene lately, those words may not come as a shock. However, if you were transported from 2022 to now and had no prior knowledge of Rahm’s stance on LIV (the breakaway circuit for elite players), it would surely astound you. Unlike McIlroy who openly discussed his evolution regarding LIV through many public statements at various tournaments over several years, Rahm remained relatively quiet about the topic. But when he did speak out against it, he was quite adamant in his disapproval. Yet by the end of 2023 something happened that caused him to completely change his mind and support it fully.
The evolution of Rahm, from opposing LIV to becoming its primary signer and influential advocate, can be analyzed in three separate periods.
“I am declaring my allegiance to the PGA Tour and this marks an official statement which I will not repeat,” Rahm declared at Riviera in February 2022. “As a PAC member, I have faith in Jay Monahan’s leadership and trust that the future holds great promise for their product. Despite much discussion surrounding the Saudi league, it is simply not aligned with my goals for golf career trajectory; therefore, pursuing success on the PGA Tour remains integral to achieving my ultimate legacy.”
Although Rahm is not the first player to retract previous statements, his staunch defense of PGA Tour prior to its 2022 launch was especially forceful among those who ultimately joined LIV. Despite claiming otherwise, he continued discussing this topic and even elaborated on it months later at the U.S. Open by revealing that he had refused a reported offer from LIV before their official June debut.
When discussing money with my wife Kelley, I pondered whether obtaining $400 million would alter our current lifestyle. After considering it rhetorically, we concluded that there wouldn’t be any change whatsoever. In fact, with the earnings I’ve already accumulated during my career in golfing alone are enough to grant me a comfortable retirement and lead a fulfilling life without ever playing again. My motivations for playing have never centered around monetary gain – rather they stem from an unwavering passion for the game itself and striving to compete against highly skilled opponents at its highest level. My fascination lies more within preserving history and creating legacies which is why currently being involved in PGA Tour feels so rewarding .
Winning the Memorial Championship, Arnold Palmer’s event at Bay Hill and historic venues such as L.A. and Torrey have significant meaning to me. To win these events is important because they hold so much history and tradition in golf. Winning the U.S Open recently has made it even more special for me since only Tiger Woods and I have won at Torrey Pines. The memory of sinking putts on 18 will remain with me forever, an experience that few others can claim to share. My loyalty lies strongly with the PGA Tour; there are no two ways about that!
He stated that for him, a golf tournament without a cut and played over three days using the shotgun format is not just any ordinary game. He desires to compete against world-class players in a traditional style of competition that has been prevalent for centuries.
Rahm, who is a close friend of Sergio Garcia and wanted to be a firm supporter for PGA Tour, was always cautious not to express any blatant criticism towards the players participating in LIV. Although he refrained from discussing the origin of funds, his words held significance during that period when golf’s highest position required unwavering backing.
In the Hero World Challenge that fall, Rahm’s position appeared rock-solid as he spoke from the Bahamas. “I’m incredibly fortunate in life,” he declared. “Through my excellent golf skills and ample opportunities, I’ve earned more than enough money.”
He added that players similar to him should express their gratitude for LIV Golf as it increased his income potential on the PGA Tour.
During the period spanning from Winter 2022 to Fall 2023, which encompassed his Masters victory, Rahm continued with his customary habit of keeping mum about LIV. However, he refrained from making any more speeches regarding money and there was a discernible change in tone after the PGA Tour and LIV reached their framework agreement on June 6th. Although it seemed that he wasn’t preparing for an exit precisely; instead opting not to be caught up amid all of the chaos surrounding him. This behavior was most apparent when, in July, he responded cautiously when asked about hypothetical penalties being imposed upon players who had returned following participation at LIV.
He expressed his empathy towards those who wouldn’t welcome them on the PGA Tour, while also acknowledging why some of them would desire to make a comeback. Several exceptional events and courses are highly sought after by many individuals. He believed that there should be repercussions for their actions; however, he was uncertain what kind of penalty they should receive as he wasn’t in charge of making such decisions – that’s up to the disciplinary board or other individuals being compensated for doing so. As a golfer, his responsibility is solely focused on playing golf at an optimal level without any distractions whatsoever.
During this period, it should be mentioned that Rahm decided against continuing his service on the Player Advisory Council. Furthermore, despite initially agreeing to participate in Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TGL simulator league startup in the fall, he withdrew due to a significant time commitment required for competition. Despite these decisions, Rahm remained firm in indicating he had no intentions of joining LIV Golf even after its framework was revealed; as recently as August of this year, he expressed similar conviction as one year prior.
During an episode of the Golf Sin Etiquetas podcast in Spanish, he expressed that it’s amusing to hear people speculate about him joining LIV Golf. “I’ve never been fond of their approach,” he admitted. He also added that sharing practice rounds with Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia during major tournaments is always enjoyable for him. According to his statement, Mickelson has been supportive of his decision not to join LIV and has reassured him several times that there’s no need for him to do so.
During his introductory press conference in December, Rahm expressed his pride at joining LIV Golf and being a part of their innovative efforts to expand the reach of the sport. He confidently stated that this venture presents an excellent opportunity for him and his family, leading to great excitement about what’s in store for the future.
During the press conference, he spoke on various topics. However, one of his most intriguing statements (especially in light of his earlier comments) was when he acknowledged that money played a role. There have been several rumors circulating regarding the exact amount involved – some sources claim it exceeded $300 million while others suggest it reached as high as $600 million.
“It’s amazing how much money I make,” he stated. “However, as I’ve mentioned before, the reason why I play golf is not solely based on financial gain. My passion for the sport and admiration of it fuels me to continue playing. Nonetheless, being a responsible husband and father obligates me to provide my family with excellent opportunities and abundant resources.”
He identified as “ambitious” rather than “greedy,” expressed that his focus on securing a spot in the Ryder Cup posed the greatest impediment to committing, and declared readiness to endure any penalties provided he had backing from those close to him. Nonetheless, most notable was his shift in views regarding the setup.
“The importance of teamwork cannot be overstated,” he expressed, reflecting on his upbringing as a football fan in Spain where the emphasis is placed on the success of teams. Throughout his career, both with the Spanish national team and more recently ASU, he has always been involved in team sports – including golf for which it can be rare to experience such camaraderie. Therefore, having this opportunity once again resonates deeply within him; forming a strong four-player unit representing one another fills him with excitement as it truly captures what makes sport beautiful: unity among diverse individuals towards achieving common goals. Indeed, this powerful dynamic motivates him greatly.”
Of course, there were reasons beyond the financial aspect that motivated me to pursue change. When I expressed this sentiment previously, it was sincere and genuine. However, when faced with a substantial sum of money upfront, my perspective inevitably shifts somewhat. While I strive not to prioritize material possessions excessively in life, providing for my family’s prosperity has become equally important since having children.”
Upon witnessing the occurrence, I realized that we were undeniably uniting. Since events were unfolding and progress was being made, I deemed it necessary to listen attentively to their proposals and ambitions – as a personal obligation. Subsequently, after the season concluded- I conscientiously granted them an audience so they could present their perspectives in full fruition.”
Although McIlroy’s development was gradual and ongoing, Rahm underwent a more rapid growth that appears to be complete amidst golf’s fluctuating environment. Despite defecting like some of his peers, he faced less backlash due to the framework agreement absolving PGA Tour sympathy and receiving public support from McIlroy for inclusion in Ryder Cup. The next step is observing how LIV and the tour reconcile with his career outside their bounds; Augusta will provide views on this answer soon enough.