Jon Rahm ‘would give the Saudis back their $400m to LEAVE LIV Golf and return to PGA Tour’ insider says eight months after Spaniard’s defection
Jon Rahm, the Spanish golfer who made headlines with his dramatic move from the PGA Tour to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit in 2023, is reportedly having second thoughts about his decision. The golfer, who secured a substantial nine-figure deal estimated at around $400 million to join LIV Golf, is now reportedly reconsidering the move, according to an insider with close knowledge of the situation.
The insider, who spoke to Golf Digest’s Jaime Diaz, suggested that Rahm is so dissatisfied with his current situation that he would gladly return the entire sum he received from LIV Golf if it meant he could rejoin the PGA Tour. “I am 100 percent positive that if Jon could give the money back to the Saudis and come back to the tour, he couldn’t write the check fast enough,” the unnamed source claimed. The insider further elaborated on Rahm’s predicament by pointing out that the golfer’s current visibility and interest in his performances have significantly diminished compared to his time on the PGA Tour. “Now there are only four times a year when he’s playing that anybody is remotely interested,” the source added, reflecting on Rahm’s miscalculation regarding his standing in the sport.
In 2023, Rahm ranked second in PGA earnings, highlighting his prominence and success on the traditional tour. Despite this, he chose to leave for LIV Golf, a decision that now seems to weigh heavily on him. The LIV Golf circuit, backed by Saudi Arabian investment, has struggled to achieve the same level of prestige and fan engagement as the PGA Tour, leading to what some perceive as a drop in Rahm’s competitive profile and marketability.
This season, Rahm has faced a series of disappointments in major tournaments. His performances in the four majors have been underwhelming compared to his past successes. At the Masters, he barely made the cut, and he missed the cut entirely at the PGA Championship. Rahm also had to withdraw from the U.S. Open due to a foot infection. His struggle in the majors this year has been a stark contrast to his previous strong showings, and his victories have been sparse.
Rahm did secure a win at the LIV Golf event in England last month, continuing his streak of annual victories since his first full professional year. However, this win did little to boost his profile in the way that his PGA Tour victories had. LIV Golf events, despite some sellouts like the one in the UK, still lack the broad television coverage and media presence that the PGA Tour enjoys. This limited visibility has meant that Rahm’s achievements are not receiving the attention they might have on the PGA Tour.
Looking ahead, Rahm faces a long wait before he competes again against the top players in the sport. The next significant opportunity for him to showcase his skills on a prominent stage will be in April at Augusta National for the Masters, a daunting 237 days away. Until then, Rahm must navigate the challenges of the LIV Golf circuit and contend with the realization that his decision to leave the PGA Tour may have impacted his prominence in the sport.
