Jon Rahm’s departure for LIV Golf in late 2023 sent a shockwave through the sport, leaving many fans asking not just why he left, but what it all means. This was more than just another player switching tours, it was the reigning Masters champion, a fiery competitor, and a vocal PGA Tour supporter making a move that reshaped the professional landscape overnight. This article breaks down exactly what happened to Jon Rahm, from the details of his move to the a deeper look at the impact on his career, the tours, and his game from a coach's perspective.
In early December 2023, the rumors that had been swirling for weeks were confirmed: Jon Rahm was officially joining LIV Golf. Dressed in a black letterman-style jacket emblazoned with the LIV logo, he made his announcement, instantly becoming the highest-profile player to defect since the league’s inception. This move was particularly jarring to the golf community because Rahm had previously been a staunch and outspoken supporter of the PGA Tour, often dismissing the LIV format and emphasizing legacy over money.
The numbers associated with the deal are staggering. While official figures remain private, the contract is widely reported to be worth upwards of $500 million, a sum that includes upfront payments and an equity stake in his new team. To put that in perspective, Rahm’s impressive career earnings on the PGA Tour were around $51.5 million. The LIV offer wasn't just a pay raise, it was a figure that altered the financial reality for his family for generations to come. It was a clear statement that the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, which bankrolls LIV, was willing to pay whatever it took to land the sport's biggest active stars.
While the financial component is impossible to ignore, Rahm pointed to several other factors that influenced his decision. Understanding them gives a clearer picture of "what happened" from his point of view.
One of the major attractions for Rahm was the opportunity to be a captain and build his own franchise. He now leads Legion XIII, a new team that was created around him. For a player who thrives on the passionate, team-based atmosphere of the Ryder Cup, the idea of competing for a team trophy every week was genuinely appealing. It introduced a new dynamic to a sport that is, by nature, very individualistic. This wasn't just about collecting a paycheck, it was about leading a team and having ownership of its identity and success.
Rahm also hinted at a feeling that his voice wasn’t being heard on the PGA Tour amidst the messy and secretive negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). LIV offered him a different value proposition: being a foundational pillar of a growing league. Instead of just being another star player in a century-old institution, he had the chance to be a leader with significant influence over the direction of this new entity. In many ways, LIV rolls out the red carpet for its top players in a way the PGA Tour doesn’t, and that level of respect and influence was a powerful recruiting tool.
It’s also important to remember the context of the PGA Tour-PIF "framework agreement" announced in June 2023. That surprise partnership announcement left many players, including loyal ones like Rahm, feeling blindsided and confused. If the Tour was ultimately going to partner with the Saudis anyway, the moral argument for staying put was severely weakened. From Rahm's perspective, if a merge was inevitable, it made sense to secure his own financial future and place in the new order, rather than wait and see how things shook out.
Joining LIV Golf came with immediate and significant consequences for Rahm’s career, splitting his professional life into two distinct worlds.
As per their policy, the PGA Tour suspended Rahm indefinitely. This means he can no longer compete in regular Tour events like the Phoenix Open, The Genesis Invitational, or The Players Championship. He was also stripped of his membership and can no longer accumulate FedEx Cup points. For a player who cherished competing and winning at historic PGA Tour venues, this was a major sacrifice.
This is where things get a bit more complicated, but it's one of the most important aspects of his move. Here’s a quick breakdown:
A common question is whether the move to LIV, with its shorter 54-hole events and arguably less competitive fields, would dull Rahm's competitive edge. From a coaching perspective, the transition presents both challenges and interesting dynamics.
His results on the LIV Tour have been excellent, even if he hasn't yet secured an individual victory as of mid-2024. He has been in contention consistently, racking up top-10 finishes and showcasing the powerful, elite ball-striking he's known for. His performance at the 2024 Masters, while not a win, was a solid showing that proved he can still gear up for the biggest events.
Rahm's swing is unconventional but incredibly effective. He famously has a very short, compact backswing, but he generates enormous power. This isn't from trying to "lift" the ball, it's by creating a powerful rotational sequence.
watch his downswing, his body is the engine. He initiates the movement by turning his hips and torso, letting the club follow rather than directing it with his arms. It’s a perfect example of how the golf swing is a rounded action that moves around the body. He's not trying to hit the ball, he's unwinding his body and letting the club accelerate through impact as a result.
This efficient, body-driven motion is highly repeatable and less prone to timing errors than a long, “handsy” swing. It's a huge reason for his remarkable consistency. The biggest challenge for him in the LIV format isn't technical, it's staying mentally sharp when you aren't playing against a 156-man field every week on tough courses. That said, the added pressure of justifying his move on the major stages seems to have provided plenty of motivation so far.
So, what happened to Jon Rahm is that he made a calculated, seismic career decision that secured his family's future and simultaneously redrew the map of professional golf. It’s a move driven by historic finances, a desire for influence, and a different competitive format, and it reflects the turbulent and evolving nature of the sport at the highest level.
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