Jon Rahm sends message to PGA Tour bosses as LIV Golf peace talks continue

Jon Rahm has been banned from playing on the PGA Tour since joining LIV Golf at the end of 2023, but the Spaniard still believes there is hope for the two sides to come together

Jon Rahm believes there is still hope for players from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to compete together as negotiations continue. The Spaniard, who finished fourth at LIV Mexico City on Sunday, became LIV’s biggest signing at the end of 2023 with a deal worth a reported $600 million.

Despite being crowned the league’s 2024 individual champion and earning $38.5 million in the process, his decision to switch to Saudi came with a price.

Rahm joined the ranks of Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, and Phil Mickelson when he was banned from playing on the PGA Tour, where he had established himself as one of the world’s top players.

Six months before his move, the PGA Tour announced a surprise framework agreement with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF), which was expected to allow players like Rahm to compete freely across both circuits.

However, nearly two years later, the two sides have yet to reach an agreement and have even sought the help of President Donald Trump to speed up discussions. Despite the uncertain future of the sport, Rahm still sees a way for the two sides to coexist peacefully.

“It’s a tricky situation,” he remarked on the tension brewing between the two rival tours. “Obviously, we’re in a situation where it’s a bit unknown how it could affect the world of golf long-term and the environment we have right now, and I do believe, yeah, if there was some kind of agreement reached, it would be better for everybody.”

Although not considering himself an expert to pinpoint what a deal would precisely entail, Rahm hopes those at the helm realize the potential to craft something “special”.

He elaborated: “There’s enough love for the game worldwide for all of us to have a place to play, and I think there’s a solution out there.

“Now, none of us sitting up here are in charge, and we don’t know what that looks like because we’re not lawyers and there are a lot of things going on, but I do believe there’s an opportunity, and I’ve said this many times, to create something special.

“I think we’re in a spot where there’s more attention on golf than in the past from other parts of the world and different people.

“And I think with the right attitude and the right minds put together, something really cool and something really special could happen that would be beneficial for everybody.”

Earlier this month, it was reported by the Guardian that PIF proposed a $1.5 billion deal to partner with PGA Tour Enterprises.

The Saudi fund requested that LIV continue its normal operations as part of the offer, with PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan assuming a co-chairman role in the profit-making entity. However, the PGA Tour reportedly declined the offer.