Jon Rahm reportedly regrets joining LIV Golf: 'It was a bad miscalculation'

The Rise and Challenges of Jon Rahm

Before joining LIV Golf, Jon Rahm was one of the brightest stars on the PGA Tour. The Spanish golfer had amassed over $70 million in career earnings, won 11 PGA Tour events, and held the prestigious World No. 1 ranking for more than 50 weeks.

Among his notable victories were the 2023 Masters and the 2021 U.S. Open. His future seemed limitless as he became one of the most recognizable and successful golfers in the world.

However, Jon Rahm’s success and visibility have taken a downturn since his move to LIV Golf in December 2023. While his decision was financially lucrative, reportedly earning him upwards of $400 million, his performance on the course has suffered.

His participation in LIV Golf’s limited schedule and unique format has also led to a decline in interest from golf fans and media alike. The insider pointed out that now:

“There are only four times a year when he’s playing that anybody is remotely interested.”

This shift in public perception has left Jon Rahm feeling regretful and uncertain about his future in the sport.

Since joining LIV Golf, Jon Rahm’s struggles on the course have been evident. While he managed a first-place finish in LIV Golf UK at JCB Golf & Country Club last month, his overall performance has been underwhelming compared to his previous success.

He failed to win any of the first 10 LIV Golf events of the 2024 season, with only a few top finishes in Adelaide and Nashville.

Jon Rahm’s difficulties have extended to major championships as well. In 2024, he barely made the cut at the Masters (finished T45), missed the cut at the PGA Championship, and was forced to withdraw from the U.S. Open due to a foot infection.

His best showing in a major this year was a tied-for-seventh finish at the British Open, a rare bright spot in an otherwise challenging season.

This change in performance and status is said to have caused Jon Rahm to reconsider his move to LIV Golf. The insider’s comments suggest that Rahm realizes the impact his decision will have on his career and legacy:

“He thought his stature in the game was secure no matter where he was playing, and it was a bad miscalculation,” the insider noted.

Jon Rahm’s struggles have also fueled speculation that his dissatisfaction with LIV Golf could be affecting his performance, as former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley suggested ahead of the Open Championship.

Jon Rahm has not been shy about expressing his concerns regarding LIV Golf’s format and operations. In April, he publicly criticized the league’s 54-hole tournaments with shotgun starts, arguing that such events did not align with traditional golf standards:

“The closer we can get LIV to do some of these things, the better,” Rahm stated at the time.

Despite these criticisms, Jon Rahm has refrained from openly declaring buyer’s remorse. Before withdrawing from the 2024 U.S. Open, Rahm claimed he was in a “happy place” and expressed satisfaction with his career achievements.

However, the insider’s recent revelations paint a different picture, suggesting that Jon Rahm may be more discontented than he has let on publicly.

As the golf world speculates on Jon Rahm’s next move, one thing is clear: his decision to join LIV Golf has not panned out as expected. Whether Rahm will find a way to return to the PGA Tour remains to be seen, but the insider’s revelations indicate that the Spaniard is willing to make significant sacrifices to rectify what he now sees as a “bad miscalculation.”

For now, Jon Rahm continues to compete in LIV Golf, but with his heart seemingly set on a return to the PGA Tour, the future of one of golf’s biggest stars is uncertain. Will he find a way to leave LIV Golf behind and reclaim his place among the top ranks of the PGA Tour? Only time will tell.