Jon Rahm just jumped to the juggernaut that is LIV golf

A few days ago Jon Rahm seriously shocked the entire golf world by announcing he had quit the PGA Tour and had joined LIV Golf. Rahm is not just a PGA Tour pro. He is the reigning Masters champion, a long-time world number 1, and current number 3 behind Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. He is an in-form golfer and is one the highest paid players on the PGA tour right now. And for years now, Rahm has been publicly expressing his loyalty to the PGA Tour. And, at the same time, he has been criticizing the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour.  Hence everyone's surprise at this news.

So, one may ask, why did Jon Rahm make this move?  While the real reasons behind Rahm's decision remain unclear, because they are private, several factors likely played a role, and he confirmed this in an interview.  He said the team aspect was key to his decision and that he likes the LIV product and the business. I am sure there were more reasons he did not want to talk about openly, let's explore what those may be.

For example, another reason is the money. The financial incentive for the best PGA players to move has always been there. LIV Golf offers significantly higher prize money than the PGA Tour, with guaranteed payouts regardless of performance. This financial security is undoubtedly appealing to Rahm, as it would be to anyone, even though he is already one of the highest paid athletes in the world. Rahm stand to make hundreds of millions of dollars, guaranteed, by joining LIV. The PGA does not offer golfers the same guarantees just for showing up to events. On the PGA Tour players get paid to win.

Another thing, the LIV Golf schedule is significantly shorter than the PGA Tour, allowing players more time for family, personal pursuits, and other business ventures. This flexibility was likely attractive to Rahm, who is married with young children.

LIV Golf is getting more competitive too, and it already draws some of the world's best golfers, creating a more competitive and exciting environment for players. This could have been a factor for Rahm, who is constantly seeking new challenges and opportunities to test his skills.

Of course, Jon Rahm has previously expressed frustration with certain aspects of the PGA Tour, such as its revenue distribution model and its restrictions on player freedom. While these disagreements may not have been quoted as the reason for his departure, they likely contributed to his decision.

Interestingly, Jon explicitly said his decision had nothing to do with Phil Mickelson, one of the key proponents for the LIV tour.  Although, I am sure the fact that Rahm is represented by the same sports agent as Mickelson was a factor. The SportFive agency has clearly been talking privately with LIV management (Greg Norman) all along since LIV launched. 

So, maybe this all should not come as such a big surprise.  

Irrespective of how or why it happened, it is a done deal and Rahm's move to LIV Golf has sent shockwaves through the professional golf world. His stature and popularity as one of the game's top players adds significant weight to the LIV Golf brand and further legitimizes the series. This could further incentivize other top golfers to make the same move, potentially creating a significant rift in the sport. Jon Rahm's departure also raises fundamental questions about the future of the PGA Tour. Losing a player of his caliber is a major blow, and it remains to be seen how the Tour will respond to this challenge. 

The PGA cannot be seen to do nothing about this. 

A few things are already in motion. This news has already impacted big corporate sponsors, many of whom already chose to distance themselves from players who join LIV Golf. And the PGA Tour itself has filed lawsuits against LIV Golf, even though the rival tours are meant to have agreed on a merger, in principle. Although they said that they will remain amicable and will work together in future, it remains to be seen how these legal scraps will play out and whether all ends on a good note. 

One thing is clear, Jon Rahm's move to LIV Golf is a game-changer for the sport right now, and the ripple effects of this will be felt for years to come.