Jon Rahm, the reigning Augusta Masters champion and currently ranked among the top players worldwide, is set to formalize a multi-million dollar move to LIV Golf, signaling the largest contract in the history of the sport. The framework of this deal would position Rahm as the face of the Saudi-backed league for years to come, tying him to LIV through the end of 2029 and potentially reshaping the professional golf landscape.
Rahm to sign a 550 million euro contract with the Saudi golf league, aiming for the largest deal in sports history
The negotiations center on a lucrative 550 million euro package that would commit Rahm to LIV Golf through 2029, anchoring him as a key ambassador within the Saudi golf circle for years to come.
1. Numbers
In this arrangement, Rahm would pocket 550 million euros, securing his future with LIV Golf for five seasons. The deal would elevate him to unprecedented levels of financial clout and prominence within the league and its partners.
2. Representation
The negotiations are led in part by Rahm’s agent, a veteran negotiator who has built strong connections with LIV leadership and western sports executives. This individual also represents Rahm’s close associate and rival-turned-colleague, a prominent LIV participant since its inception in 2022, which helps explain the depth of the relationships shaping the talks. Various outlets have noted that Saudi officials had floated a contract bonus, and trade press has suggested the deal was nearing completion, underscoring the momentum behind the agreement.
3. Change of posture
Rahm has shifted from a staunch defender of the PGA Tour to one of LIV Golf’s marquee acquisitions. This shift coincides with broader strategic discussions among PGA Tour leadership about potential mergers or partnerships with LIV, discussions that reportedly unsettled Rahm enough to consider joining the Super League and aligning with LIV on a full-time basis.
4. Captain of the Fireballs
The LIV Golf format blends individual stroke play with team competition, featuring substantial purses and a dynamic 54-hole structure. Rahm would likely assume team leadership, potentially guiding a Spanish unit that has already featured players such as Sergio García, Eugenio Chacarra, and David Puig. As captain, Rahm would help shape both the on-course strategy and marketability of the squad as a whole.
5. Aiming to stay in the top events through 2027
Rahm’s long-term plan includes continuing to compete in the sport’s marquee tournaments for as long as possible, with Augusta and the U.S. Open remaining strong targets through the late 2020s. He would need to navigate any sanctions or eligibility questions arising from the PGA Tour-LIV merger discussions and potential temporary changes in tournament qualification rules, which could affect Ryder Cup eligibility depending on the merger status.
6. Players, shareholders
The joint concept under consideration involves merging a profit-driven entity with the PGA Tour, distributing stakes among players as a means of sharing profits. This model would mark a new era in professional golf arrangements. Rumors persist that other major investors, including entertainment and sports groups, might participate if a different path from LIV is pursued, signaling a potential broadening of the investment base behind the league or its successors.