Jon Rahm signs deal to join LIV Golf

Masters champion Jon Rahm has signed a multi-year deal to join LIV Golf.

In what is, without doubt, LIV’s biggest coup to date, the Saudi-backed breakaway league has landed the Spaniard following weeks of fervent speculation over his future on the PGA Tour.

bunkered.co.uk reported last month that Rahm had entered negotiations to join the Greg Norman-fronted series for the 2024 season.

At that stage nothing had been agreed but the world No.3 has now committed to the LIV series, dealing a huge blow to the PGA Tour.

“I am proud to join LIV Golf and be part of something new that is bringing growth to the sport,” said Rahm. “I have no doubt that this is a great opportunity for me and my family and am very excited for the future.”

Rahm’s move – reported in some quarters to be worth more than $500m to the Spaniard – has now thrown his Ryder Cup future into doubt, with fellow Team Europe heroes Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood currently ineligible for the match after their move to LIV.

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The signing also raises further questions about the prospective deal between the US circuit and the Saudi Public Investment Fund bankrolling the LIV enterprise.

None of that, however, is of any concern to LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman, who is understandably delighted at landing such a huge name,

“When I first met Jon at the age of 17, I knew then that the golfing world was about to witness the birth of a new star,” said the two-time Open champion. “Jon has consistently validated that he is one of the top players in the world.

“He’s a generational talent who has proven his merit as a multiple major champion and tremendous ambassador for global golf by placing the game ahead of himself.

There are very few athletes with his pedigree of talent, leadership, poise, and commitment to bringing progress to the sport on a worldwide stage. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Jon to the LIV Golf family as the league continues preparations for a huge 2024 and beyond.”

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Lawrence Burian, LIV Golf Chief Operating Officer: “LIV Golf is here to stay. The addition of Jon re-emphasises that our League is not slowing down. We are continuing to invest and build aggressively for LIV’s long-term and exciting future.”

Details on Rahm’s team will be announced at a later date.

He joins LIV Golf’s star-studded, international field returning in 2024 with many of the sport’s biggest names including 2023 individual champion Talor Gooch (who has moved from RangeGoats GC to Smash GC), 2020 US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau (2023 team champions Crushers GC), 2022 Open champion Cam Smith (Ripper GC) and 2023 PGA Championship winner and five-time major champion Brooks Koepka (Smash GC).

The group also includes six-time major winner and World Golf Hall of Famer Phil Mickelson (HyFlyers GC), two-time major winners Dustin Johnson (4Aces GC), Bubba Watson (RangeGoats GC) and Martin Kaymer (Cleeks GC), and many more.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.