Once upon a time, there was just one dominant golf league—the PGA Tour. It ruled the sport, players thrived, and everything seemed steady. But then came LIV Golf, backed by Saudi funding, luring away top players with jaw-dropping contracts. Sounds like a fairy tale, right? Well, with all the drama, plot twists, and high-stakes rivalry, this saga has been nothing short of gripping. And now, with talks of a merger in the works, maybe—just maybe—we’ll get a fairy tale ending after all. Or will we? Because to be honest, despite all the merger talks, there’s still no concrete resolution. Fans keep getting vague answers, and the uncertainty just keeps dragging on. But if there’s one interesting shift in all of this, it’s how some of LIV Golf’s former critics have started to embrace the idea of a merger. Which brings us to an important question: Was this shift in perspective intentional, or just a matter of timing?
Jon Rahm—once one of PGA Tour’s most vocal loyalists—is now one of LIV Golf’s biggest signings. And if his recent comments on The Joe Pomp Show are anything to go by, his decision wasn’t just about money—it was about something deeper.
Did Jay Monahan’s action push Jon Rahm toward LIV Golf?
Rahm’s move to LIV was one of the most shocking defections in recent golf history. He wasn’t just another player—he was a two-time major champion with 11 PGA Tour titles to his name. When he finally made the switch, it sent shockwaves through the golf world.
Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters 2024 Jon Rahm ESP on the 9th tee during Round 4 of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters 2024 at Club de Golf Sotogrande, San Roque, Andalucia , Spain. 20/10/2024. Picture Thos Caffrey / Golffile.ie All photo usage must carry mandatory copyright credit Golffile Thos Caffrey San Roque Club de Golf Sotogrande Andalucia Spain Copyright: xThosxCaffreyx *EDI*
Because if we look back, Rahm wasn’t always open to the idea. In fact, back in 2022, he straight-up laughed at rumors linking him to LIV Golf. “I laugh when people rumor me with @livgolf_league,” he had said on the Golf Sin Etiquetas podcast. “I’ve never liked the format. And I always have a good time with Phil and Sergio in the practice rounds of majors.” Fast forward a year, and not only did he join LIV, but reports suggested he had previously turned down a $400 million offer before finally making the move. So, what changed?
Rahm himself gave some insight into that. “I didn’t self-proclaim myself a messiah in this whole thing,” he said on The Joe Pomp Show. “Truth be told, I was looking out for myself. When the agreement happened, I think it kind of made me reevaluate things in my mind and open up a possibility of possibly joining and decided to do it after all.”
That “agreement” he’s referring to? The shocking PGA Tour–LIV Golf merger announcement in June 2023. When PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan announced the merger, it wasn’t just the fans who were caught off guard—the players were too. In fact, many were furious, accusing Monahan of keeping them in the dark while making secret deals. After spending years fighting against LIV, the PGA Tour suddenly decided to join forces with the Saudi-backed league. It was a complete 180-degree turn, and for players like Rahm, who had stood firmly with the PGA Tour, it left them questioning everything.
So while Rahm made it clear he wasn’t trying to be some kind of idealistic example, the fact remains—he only started thinking about LIV Golf after Monahan dropped the merger bombshell. Whether Monahan intended to or not, his actions did plant doubts in Rahm’s mind about the PGA Tour’s direction.
And now that he’s fully settled in with LIV, Rahm seems more confident than ever in his decision.
Jon Rahm speaks highly of LIV Golf
Remember when rumors were swirling that Brooks Koepka might return to the PGA Tour once his LIV contract ends this year? Yeah, that got people talking. But the real headline wasn’t just about his potential move—it was about how passionately he praised LIV Golf in the meantime.
Talking about the LIV Golf Adelaide event, Koepka didn’t hold back.“Yeah, I think — actually I know that I can speak for all the players. This is the one event every year that we look forward to coming back. We’ve got the most fans, the most energy.”
Safe to say, he’s a proud LIV golfer. And if that wasn’t clear enough, he also had some strong words of support for LIV’s new CEO, Scott O’Neil. “I think he can lead LIV right to where I think it needs to be, or where it should be. We got the right people in charge now. And I’m excited to see where it goes.” And Koepka isn’t the only one feeling that way.
Rahm, too, has been vocal about how happy he is with his decision. In the same Joe Pomp Show interview, he shared his excitement about being part of a league that challenges players to improve. “If there’s one thing I describe LIV as constantly, it’s as a massive opportunity to make something great. That’s something that Golf didn’t have until now. Golf was this one league. They were following this path and it was going very well, but with the appearance of LIV now, we’re being forced to evolve and change, and there’s an opportunity to make something great. And I think whoever takes advantage of that possibility earlier will be set for quite a long time.”
Clearly, these guys aren’t just along for the ride—they believe in LIV Golf. And when two of the biggest names in the sport are backing it so strongly, it’s hard to ignore.
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