Rumors are spreading specifically about a transfer to LIV Golf for world No. 3 Jon Rahm (Spain), who has been making unusual moves since the end of the 2022-2023 PGA Tour playoffs.
The Palm Beach Post, an American local newspaper, reported on the 23rd that Lam is in negotiations to transfer to LIV Golf for $600 million (about 781.5 billion won). The newspaper reported that Lam put forward a condition that he would transfer if he could receive world ranking points by changing LIV Golf's current 54-hole, shotgun tournament format.
The New York Post reported on Rahm's transfer rumor, citing content posted by golf reporter Alan Shifnock on his personal social media account. “Phil Mickelson told me that the LIV Golf contract with Rahm has already been signed,” Schiffnock said. “They are hiring the same agent,” he said, adding that it was difficult to take Mickelson’s words like a traveling salesman at face value.
Jon Rahm has recently continued to distance himself from the PGA Tour, increasing rumors of a move to LIV. Tiger Woods (USA) and Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), leaders of the PGA Tour, decided to participate in the TGL, a screen golf league sponsored by the PGA Tour, but suddenly withdrew, and McIlroy recently dropped 오피오피걸 out of the PGA Tour. Even after receiving an offer to become a policy director, he declined, saying, more info “But I don’t have the time.”
In addition, suspicions are growing that Ram has maintained a very close relationship with Mickelson, the leader of LIV Golf, since his days studying abroad in Arizona, and is also close with Sergio Garcia, a fellow national who left for LIV last year.
Rahm has won 4 times, including the Masters Tournament last April, and is a star on the PGA Tour with a total of 11 wins (2 major wins), including the 2021 US Open. If he abandons his beliefs and leaves for LIV Golf, it will have a greater impact on the PGA Tour and players than any other player.
Ram has clearly stated his opinion on LIV Golf several times in official appearances last year. “I came to the PGA Tour to compete with the best players in the world,” he said. “I talked to his wife, but the money I have now is enough. “Even if I get $400 million, my life won’t change,” he said, revealing that he has no intention of moving on to LIV Golf, which is offering huge financial temptations thanks to sponsorship from Saudi Arabia.
The PGA Tour decided to negotiate with the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund (PIF) on golf development plans, including a merger with LIV Golf, during last season, but while no clear progress has been made yet, rumors of Lam's transfer have emerged as a hot topic of interest.