Jon Rahm set to leave PGA Tour for LIV

Jon Rahm, the defending Masters champion and one of the top players on tour, is set to leave the PGA to join golf’s controversial LIV.

The Wall Street Journal reported the news of Rahm’s expected departure early Thursday. The news site said the pending announcement could happen as soon as this week. GolfChannel.com also is reporting the news, saying an announcement could happen Thursday.

The PGA and the Saudi investment firm that owns LIV, announced a merger earlier this year. However, sides have until Dec. 31 to finalize the deal.

Jordan Spieth, another former Masters champion, now is on the PGA Tour Board. Spieth told the WSJ that everyone was hearing that Rahm was skipping out to join LIV, but no one knew anything official.

“Jon Rahm,” Spieth told WSJ, “is one of the biggest assets that we have on the PGA Tour.” 

Rahm’s move is a stunning one, considering he has been loud in his commitment to the PGA. He even said a contract and signing fee worth as much as $400 million wouldn’t sway him. The PGA initially wanted a no-pilfering clause in the merger with the LIV. But the proposal is no longer on the table.

But the chatter about a switch grew louder this fall. Jon Rahm dropped out of a virtual golf league created by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. And, he has yet to commit to a tournament next month and he’s the defending champion.

This is a breaking news story with more details to come.