Jon Rahm joins LIV Tour
Jon Rahm is from Spain and turned professional in 2016. His first PGA Tour win was in 2017 as he held an eagle putt at the 18th to win Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Rahm continued to impress in 2017 as he shot four rounds in the 60s to win the Irish Open at Portstewart. The Spaniard finished 2017 in style as he won the end of season DP World Tour Championship.
Rahm first found a love for Augusta when he finished fourth in 2018. 2018 was another special year for Rahm as he won his first Open de Espana. Rahm’s rise in the world of professional golf earned him a place on 2018 Ryder Cup at Paris National. Rahm’s highlight at Paris National was beating 15 time major winner Tiger Woods in the singles.
Rahm’s best major finish in 2019 was a tied for third at the US Open. in 2019 Rahm was successful in Europe as he won the Irish Open and Open de Espana for a second time. Rahm joined special company as he became a multiple winner of the DP World Tour Championship in 2019. Rahm was unlucky not to finish 2019 with four wins after finishing second at Hero World Challenge.
2020 was a difficult year for professional golf as there was a lack of spectators due to covid-19 pandemic. Rahm made another statement as he won The Memorial at Muirfield Village. Rahm became world number one after his win at Memorial and became the second Spanish golfer after Seve Ballesteros to be number one. Rahm made it into a play-off at 2020 BMW Championship. Rahm held an incredible putt at the final hole to defeat Dustin Johnson in a play-off and win the BMW Championship.
A world class field was assembled for 2021 US Open at Torrey Pines. Rahm held two amazing putts at the 17th and 18th to win the US Open. it was fitting that Rahm won at Torrey Pines as this was the venue were he won his first PGA Tour event. Rahm was the first European to win the US Open in nine years. The US Open wasn’t the only success for Rahm in 2021 as he finished second in Tour Championship at East Lake.
Even though Europe were well beaten at Whistling Straits Rahm was the highest points winner for a European in 2021 Ryder Cup. Rahm continued to equal Ballesteros with three Open de Espana wins. Rahm won on the PGA Tour in 2022 at the Mexico Open. Rahm yet again finished the season in style as he won his third DP World Tour Championship at the Earth Course.
2023 started brillantly as he came from seven shots behind to win Sentry Tournament of Champions. Rahm hit a purple patch as he also won The American Express and The Genesis Invitational. 2023 Masters was weather delayed and Rahm went into the final round three behind Brooks Koepka. Koepka shot a final round of 75 and a 69 was good enough for Rahm to win his second major. Rahm became the first European to win the Masters and US Open.
As mentioned above Rahm has won some of the biggest tournaments throughout the world since turning professional. Rahm was fantastic at Marco Simone as he achieved three points in 2023 Ryder Cup. LIV Tour has been the talk of professional golf in 2022 and 2023. Major winners Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed and Phil Mickelson all joined LIV. The biggest signing for LIV in 2022 was The Open champion and The Players winner Cameron Smith. LIV Tour has continued to have tournaments in 2023 but their players could play in the majors and Brooks Koepka played for USA in 2023 Ryder Cup.
There was plenty of rumours in the past few months about Rahm joining LIV. It was announced on Thursday 9th December 2023 that Rahm will be joining LIV Tour. The figure that Rahm joined for was $300 million. It was devastating for the PGA Tour but a big statement for Greg Norman and LIV. PIF and PGA Tour have a deadline of 31st December 2023 to agree on merger. PGA Tour need to do everything to finalise agreement because more players will leave for LIV if no agreement.