Jon Rahm’s honest nine-word LIV Golf statement vindicated after major U-Turn
Jon Rahm’s Stellar Season on the LIV Golf Tour: Poised for Individual Champion Title Jon Rahm has arguably been the most impressive player on the LIV Golf Tour this season, and with just one event remaining, he stands on the verge of being crowned the individual champion of this groundbreaking competition. Rahm’s transition from the…
Jon Rahm’s Stellar Season on the LIV Golf Tour: Poised for Individual Champion Title
Jon Rahm has arguably been the most impressive player on the LIV Golf Tour this season, and with just one event remaining, he stands on the verge of being crowned the individual champion of this groundbreaking competition.
Rahm’s transition from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf has certainly proven to be a lucrative move. The Spanish golfer became the highest-paid player in the sport after signing a jaw-dropping £386 million deal with the Saudi-backed tour in December of last year. His decision to join LIV Golf initially sparked controversy, particularly given that the 29-year-old had previously voiced skepticism about the tour’s format, emphasizing his commitment to legacy and history over financial gain.
However, just a few weeks after making the switch, Rahm acknowledged that money was indeed the primary factor behind his decision. “I’m getting paid more to play the same sport,” he told ESPN in February. “I don’t know about most people, but that sounds good to me,” he added.
This season, Rahm has consistently demonstrated his prowess on the course. Currently, he sits second on the 2024 LIV Golf money list, having earned a substantial $12.75 million (£9.72 million) in prize money. Topping the earnings chart is Chilean golfer Joaquin Niemann, with $14.5 million (£11.1 million), while Sergio Garcia and Brooks Koepka occupy third and fourth place, earning $11.46 million (£8.73 million) and $11.04 million (£8.41 million) respectively.
Despite trailing Niemann in earnings, Rahm has recently overtaken him in the overall LIV Golf standings, putting him in prime position to claim the individual champion title. With just one event left on the calendar, Rahm is on the brink of securing the top spot. If he can maintain his lead, he stands to collect an additional $18 million (£13.7 million) in prize money.
Rahm, who boasts major victories including the 2021 U.S. Open and the 2023 Masters, has been remarkably consistent throughout the LIV Golf season. He has not finished outside the top 10 in any event, though he has only secured one win so far. That victory came at LIV Golf UK last month, where Rahm narrowly defeated Niemann by a single stroke.
He nearly added another win to his record at LIV Golf Greenbrier last week but was edged out by Brooks Koepka in a thrilling playoff after both players finished 19 under par. Koepka’s victory made him the first player to win five LIV Golf events.
Although Rahm had to settle for a $2.25 million (£1.71 million) payout at Greenbrier, leaving him approximately $1.7 million (£1.4 million) behind Niemann on the earnings list, his strong performance pushed him ahead of Niemann, who finished tied for 15th, in the individual standings.
Now, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown in Chicago next month. Rahm and Niemann will go head-to-head for the LIV Golf crown, with Rahm needing only to outperform Niemann to secure the top spot. If he succeeds, he will follow in the footsteps of previous champions Dustin Johnson and Talor Gooch, cementing his status as one of the sport’s elite.