Superstar Rahm shakes up golf world with LIV deal
The LIV Golf Tour, which is financed by Saudi Arabia, is controversial. Nevertheless, numerous top professionals play there, including the German Martin Kaymer. Now comes the next spectacular change. Masters winner Jon Rahm succumbs to the lure of money.
Spaniard Jon Rahm has confirmed his switch from the PGA Tour to the LIV Tour and shaken the golfing world. The US Open and Masters winner made his decision public in an interview on Fox News and a short post on Instagram. Numerous media outlets had previously reported on the impending move and put the value of the three-year contract at between 300 and 600 million US dollars. According to the US news agency AP, the 29-year-old Rahm could earn more than the PGA Tour pays out in prize money across all its events.
Rahm himself did not want to answer the question about his earnings in the interview on Fox News. "I was happy," he said, wearing a black college jacket with the LIV logo. "But there are some things that LIV Golf can offer that are very enticing." He emphasized he continues to not play golf for the money, but has an obligation and responsibility as a family man.
Rahm, who won the Masters this year and the US Open in 2021, two of the most important golf tournaments, is the next top player to join the controversial LIV series. Previously, five-time Majors winner Brooks Koepka, US Open and Masters winner Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau (all USA), who won the 2020 US Open, were among those who switched to LIV. German PGA Championship and US Open winner Martin Kaymer also plays on the LIV Tour.
In June, the three golf series PGA, LIV and the European DP World Tour jointly announced that they had reached a "groundbreaking agreement to unify the sport of golf" and would be working together in the future. According to the agreement, the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF (Public Investment Fund), which was previously involved in the LIV Tour, will now also be a shareholder and financial backer of a new joint organization. The extent to which a change of Rahm would affect the ongoing negotiations on the details of a cooperation between the PGA and LIV is unclear. The LIV Tour is controversial due to state funding from Saudi Arabia.
Read also:
- NFL kicker out injured, then something unbelievable happens!
- Taylor Swift talks about love for her NFL star
- Crazy victory in the NFL top game
- NFL star breaks referee's leg
Following his decision, several high-profile golfers have expressed interest in joining Rahm on the LIV Tour, with rumors circulating about potential Saudi Arabia-funded deals. Amidst this, it's worth noting that Saudi Arabia's investment in golf continues to be controversial, as highlighted by numerous protests and criticisms from human rights organizations.
Moreover, despite the controversy surrounding Saudi Arabia's funding, many top professional golfers are drawn to the LIV Tour's lucrative offers, signifying a significant shift in the sport's landscape.
Source: www.ntv.de
