Jon Rahm Says Winning 2023 Masters Was 'Huge Step' Toward LIV Golf Contract

Jon Rahm divulged Tuesday that winning the 2023 Masters played a significant role in his decision to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf.

In an interview for Golf.com's Breakthrough (h/t ESPN.com), Rahm suggested that the exemptions gained from winning the 2023 Masters and 2021 U.S. Open made him more comfortable with the idea of jumping ship from the PGA Tour:

"Winning the Masters was a huge step towards maybe thinking about it. Being exempt from majors, knowing that most likely you can play the Masters for life and the U.S. Open at least until 2031, you know, I'm set with two of those, right, so it was a big determining factor."

Rahm, who made his LIV Golf debut last weekend, reportedly agreed to a $300 million deal with the organization, which has poached several PGA Tour stars since its inception in 2022.

The 29-year-old Spaniard is perhaps the most significant LIV Golf signing yet, as he is currently the No. 3 golfer in the world.

LIV acquired some big names previously, including Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau, but Rahm is firmly in his prime and was in the conversation as being the PGA Tour's biggest star.

Although Rahm suggested during his time with the PGA Tour that a big-money offer from LIV wouldn't do much to sway him, he admitted during Tuesday's interview that the offer became too robust to turn down:

"When I said that, I fully meant it and it was true. Now, when they slap you with a large amount of money in your face, your feelings do change. I try not to be a materialistic person, but I do owe it to my family as well to set them up for success the best I can, and having kids I think changed that quite a bit. So the money is a part of it, I'm not going to lie."

Although the PGA Tour and LIV Golf agreed to a merger back in June, they did not make it official by the initial Dec. 31 deadline, and talks are still ongoing.

LIV has continued to siphon talent from the PGA Tour despite the looming possibility of a merger, and it remains unclear what the future holds for the world of professional golf.

Rahm is hopeful for a merger, and he also expressed hope that there will be a path for him to return to playing select PGA Tour events in the future, saying:

"I'm hoping that in the near future I can be back playing some of those events."I would certainly love to go back and play some of them. If there's ever a way back and a way where we can play, even if it's as an invite, I will take it. There's certain events that are special to me that I would still love to support."

Currently, players who join LIV Golf are not permitted to play in PGA Tour events, although they can still participate in majors that they have qualified for or earned exemptions for.

At the very least, Rahm will be allowed to play in the Masters and the U.S. Open for the foreseeable future, which made it easier for him to part ways with the PGA Tour and accept life-changing money from LIV Golf.