There has been a string of professional golfers opting for the Saudi Arabia LIV Golf Tour since its launch in 2022. However, World No.3 Jon Rahm is not one of them. He refused to part ways with the PGA Tour, in spite of a lucrative offer from LIV Golf to the tune of millions.

The 28-year-old golfer did not take to the new format of golf. He considers himself “lucky” and in a “privileged” position, and hence thinks it is easier for him to refuse. The deal offered to Jon Rahm by LIV Golf was in the range of US$300-400 million dollars, and yet he did not give in.

Why did Jon Rahm not join LIV Golf?

It was in mid-2023 that rumors began to circulate about Jon Rahm’s offer from LIV Golf. He laughed it off. “I’ve never liked the format,” he said matter-of-factly. As reported by SB Nation, Rahm was speaking in Spanish in the interview, which was posted by Handicap 54 on Twitter/X.

“And I always have a good time with Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia in the practice rounds of majors. Phil respects my decision, and I respect his [choice]. Mickelson has told me that I have no reason to go play for LIV, and he has told me that multiple times.” 

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So not liking the format of LIV Golf is the real reason why Jon Rahm refused a $300-400 million USD proposal to join the new league backed by Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF).

While at the 2023 US Open at the Los Angeles Country Club, the Spanish golfer had spoken about why he stuck to the PGA Tour. Although Rahm was not too happy with the PGA Tour’s new deal with the PIF, he still made it a point to express his gratitude to the PGA Tour.

“No matter what happens, whether I agree with it (the PIF deal) or not, thanks to the PGA Tour, they give me a platform to play golf at the highest level, and after taking advantage of that possibility, I’m in a situation where my family and my kids don’t have to struggle financially ever, and I don’t know how many generations I can help if I do it properly,” Jon Rahm said to CBS.

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The Spaniard said that it “doesn’t really matter” if the PGA Tour associates with LIV Golf. “I’m in a very high state of privilege in this world. I can do what I want. I can do what I love for a living. I have a blast every single day even though I get mad on the golf course every once in a while… ,” he said.

No rewards by PGA Tour for loyalty

It is interesting to note that Jon Rahm is also not expecting any brownie points or monetary compensation from the PGA Tour for being loyal to them. While he is not expecting a reward or bonus, he “not going to say no” if it is offered.

“It was my choice to stay,” Jon Rahm emphasized at the press conference of The Open Championship, adding, “I wasn’t forced into anything”.

“Do I think they absolutely should be and there must be a compensation? No. I just stayed because I think it’s the best choice for myself and for the golf I want to play. Now, with that said, if they want to do it, I’m not going to say no.”

It is rare to find players like Jon Rahm who are in it for the love of the game and not the money. In fact, Rahm is never happy talking about his winning amount. A true golf player only wants to be on the course and tee off.

Watch this story: “Got Six Messages From Six Different Players”: Amid the $3,000,000,000 Merger Chaos, LIV Golf Defector Makes a Staggering Revelation