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Jon Rahm Explains Why LIV Golf Is Not Appealing To Him, Hints At Money Saudis May Have Offered Him

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Jon Rahm Thoughtfully Explains Why LIV Golf Is Not Appealing To Him

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  • Jon Rahm isn’t intrigued whatsoever by LIV Golf.
  • The defending U.S. Open champ laid out the reasons why the rival circuit isn’t appealing to him.
  • Rahm doesn’t think LIV events should be considered real golf tournaments.

Like other honest and reasonable professional golfers, Jon Rahm understands why the LIV Golf Invitational Series is appealing to some. However, those same aspects that may be appealing to some players, they’re not at all appealing to him.

The defending U.S. Open champion was asked about LIV Golf during his pre-tournament press conference on Tuesday and shared his very thoughtful, detailed explanation as to why you’ll never see him playing on the rival circuit.

“To be honest, part of the format is not really appealing to me,” Rahm said.

“A shotgun start, three days, is not a golf tournament, with no cut, it’s that simple. I want to play against the best in the world in a format that’s been going on for hundreds of years.”

It’s Not About The Money For Jon Rahm

While Rahm slamming LIV Golf’s format is a headline earner, so too were his words about why he plays the game of golf.

“I play for the love of the game, and I want to play against the best in the world,” Rahm explained. “There’s meaning when you win the Memorial Championship. There’s meaning when you win Arnold Palmer’s event at Bay Hill. There’s a meaning when you win, LA, Torrey, some of the historic venues. That to me matters a lot.”

Rahm, who has made over $33 million on the PGA Tour alone, saying that he could retire today and live a very happy life was also refreshing to hear.

He specifically threw out the number of $400 million explaining how that sum of money wouldn’t change his lifestyle at all. Perhaps that’s the sign-on bonus the Saudis offered Rahm. That number isn’t all that shocking seeing as how Phil Mickelson reportedly got a $200 million sign-on bonus.

Not many professional athletes can give that sort of perspective and thoughtful explanation standing at a podium, and the Spaniard was able to do so while speaking his second language.