Report: Phil Mickelson Says Jon Rahm Signing LIV Golf Contract is 'Done Deal'

It sounds like another top golfer may be departing the PGA Tour in favor of LIV Golf.

According to golf insider Alan Shipnuck, Phil Mickelson "has been telling folks" in recent days that 2023 Masters winner Jon Rahm signing with LIV is a "done deal."

If Rahm does make the jump to LIV Golf, it would be a shift from his stance a few months ago.

"I laugh when people rumor me with LIV Golf," Rahm told a Spanish golf podcast in July. "I've never liked the format. And I always have a good time with Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia in the practice rounds of majors. Phil respects my decision, and I respect his [choice]. Mickelson has told me that I have no reason to go play for LIV, and he has told me that multiple times."

However, there have been recent indications that the 29-year-old had grown disenchanted with the PGA Tour. Earlier this month, he abruptly pulled out of TGL, the technology-led arena golf league run by Woods and Rory McIlroy that is partnered with the PGA Tour. He was also asked about potentially replacing McIlroy on the PGA Tour board, and he scoffed at the idea.

"Oh, you won't see me there," Rahm said. "Absolutely no chance. I've been asked a couple times if I have any interest. But I'm not going to spend … I don't know how many meetings they have, but they are six, seven, hours long. I'm not here for that."

Now, it appears that Rahm has joined a long line of golfers to depart the PGA Tour for LIV Golf like Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia and Cam Smith, among others. Those players have faced criticism for their defections due to LIV Golf's ties to Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF).