Jon Rahm is preparing to compete in his third tournament at LIV Golf this week, at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia. But before that, he gave an interview to the Sports Center program on ESPN in which he delves into the changes in his life after switching from the PGA Tour to the petrodollar circuit, the reasons that led him to make this drastic decision and the opinion on this fact of players like Rory McIlroy or Tiger Woods.
How would you describe the evolution of your life in the last year?
“It’s hard to say, it’s difficult… Winning the Masters is definitely a before and after. The 2023 Masters champion, Jon Rahm. My life has changed quite a bit. Your name goes up a bit more. The majors at the Ryder Cup are the pinnacle of it. Rahm with another decisive victory for Europe. The impact is greater and, you know, your status goes up a bit more.”
There is talk of a contract of more than 300 million in three years to play in LIV Golf. Why do you think it was the right step in your career?
“Well, it’s a change, isn’t it? The best way to explain it is that LIV Golf was not a possibility for us when we were little. The PGA Tour was the pinnacle of golf, wasn’t it? This is a new change, a big change, and I don’t want to skip this point because it makes no sense. A big change in the way golfers are compensated. I would be lying if I said it’s not a big factor. In short, I get paid more to practice the same sport and have more time. I don’t know about most people, but I think it’s great.”
“I get paid more to practice the same sport and have more time. I don’t know about most people, but I think it’s great”
A couple of years ago you seemed to promise loyalty to the PGA Tour. What changed since then?
“Certain circumstances changed. When the PGA Tour and the FIP came to this agreement and agreed to work together in the future, I think it made me think that maybe I had been a bit closed-minded and that maybe I should give myself a chance. As an athlete, I think I owe it to myself to listen to the other side. And that’s what I did.”
What were your biggest concerns when making that decision?
“I think my biggest concern, at that time, if I was going to go, was a bit the negative reaction in the media. As I see it, after all, if you want, let’s say, to improve your position or what you think is a better position, I think you are free to go to job interviews. I have the right to do what I think is best for me and my family. And that’s it. I’ve said it before. As a father and as a husband, I have a duty to arrange my family as best I can. It’s not that we weren’t. We are extremely privileged people. I am aware of that. But it’s my duty.”
“I have the right to do what I think is best for me and my family, we are privileged people, but it’s my duty”
What consideration did you give to that possible negative reaction from the media?
“I think the fact that they have made an effort to participate in the PGA Tour and support it at all times shows that they are not there to take over and make the PGA Tour disappear. I think it’s that simple. I never knew if that was the goal or not. But after talking to those in charge, I know that’s not the goal.”
What have your peers told you about this change? Specifically, did you get a response from Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods?
“Rory has publicly supported my decision. And privately, too. Tiger… no, not really. Not really. I mean, Tiger… I texted him and the people who tried to get a feel for the process when I signed. I just let them know, ‘hey, this is a personal decision, I have nothing against anyone’. I want to make one thing clear. If they allow me, I will continue to support the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. I’m not going to quit. And there are still some events that I would love to play. I have no doubt. If my schedule allows it, I would go to play.”
“Rory has publicly and privately supported my decision, Tiger… no, not really, I sent him a message…”
Have you talked about this with Jay Monagan (commissioner of the PGA Tour)?
“No, no. I think he’s busy enough to talk to me.”
Did being a Masters champion make you think that it didn’t matter what could happen because you had already achieved the most important victory possible?
“Well, I didn’t want to see it that way. As I said, I have high hopes that there will be a way back to all those things. But I can say with confidence that if I hadn’t won the Masters this year, I don’t know if I would have done it. It definitely put me in a position where it’s easier to make that change. And if I hadn’t won a major, I don’t know if I would have done it.”
