After reportedly refusing $300,000,000, Jon Rahm was rejected by LIV Golf for quoting “prohibitively large” sum to play for the Saudi-backed league
Eddie Pepprrell just made a shocking claim regarding Jon Rahm's rumored jump to LIV Golf. Most golfers were approached by LIV Golfand offered a bonus to sign on and leave their tour. Some reject the offer, but Pepperell is claiming that Rahm was rejected by LIV.
He said (via Golf Magic) that the fee Rahm would've required to join up was so massive that the rebel tour had no choice but to turn him down:
"I heard that Jon Rahm... I heard that LIV had approached 15 players this year asking them for a rough figure as to what would get them across and I was told that Rahm's figure was so prohibitively large that LIV rejected it. So, make of that what you want."
He heard that LIV Golf had reached out to 15 star players in an attempt to lure them away. The best bet to do so was to gauge how much it would cost Greg Norman's breakaway tour. Evidently, Rahm's fee was too large for even the PIF.
They notably throw money at players. The financial benefit is a big reason a lot of players left. Phil Mickelson reportedly made $200 million for just signing on. Rahm's fee must have been astronomical, according to Pepperell.
Jon Rahm is not on LIV Golf for now
The golfer has remained loyal to the PGA Tour, but that was not without its tests. Many believed there were rumors of an exit for him, and evidently there were conversations about it.
Jon Rahm explained his decision previously:
"I just stayed because I think it's the best choice for myself and for the golf I want to play. We all had the chance to go to LIV and take the money and we chose to stay at the PGA Tour for whatever reason we chose. As I've said before, I already make an amazing living doing what I do."
Reports initially indicated that the Spaniard turned down $300 million to leave the PGA Tour and join LIV Golf. He also, interestingly enough, was one of the few players who said those who turned down LIV shouldn't be compensated for their loyalty in the wake of the merger.
Brandel Chamblee, a noted golf journalist who often butts heads with LIV Golf (mostly Mickelson), recently said he was concerned about a jump for The Masters winner:
"Rahm worries me a bit as he seems open to the idea. But I sense that his deep knowledge of the history of the game and his obvious future place in it will keep him from selling out. I hope that's the case."
Evidently, he costs too much for the rebel tour to even begin to poach him. They were successful in bringing several big-name stars over from the PGA Tour.
They all have their various reasons, but Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith, Dustin Johnson, and the rest all got paid pretty well for doing so.
Evidently, the money was not enough to match what Rahm supposedly would have needed to justify leaving the Tour.