Jon Rahm’s move to LIV Golf in December 2023 for a reported $500 million remains one of the biggest talking points in golf. Now over a year in, let’s assess if it’s paid off, looking at his achievements, endorsements, rankings, and official earnings.
Financial Gains: A Record-Breaking Payday
From a financial perspective, Rahm’s move to LIV Golf has been unsurprisingly successful. His contract is reportedly worth around $500 million over multiple years and is one of the biggest in sports history. This included a big signing bonus and equity in his LIV team, Legion XIII. In his first season he earned around $34.7 million in prize money, not including his signing bonus and endorsements. That’s more than he earned in his entire time on the PGA TOUR and DP World Tour. Between May 2023 and May 2024, he was the second highest paid athlete in the world with total earnings of $218 million, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo.
On Course Performance: Consistency and Championships
Rahm’s performance on the LIV circuit has been positive. In the 2024 season he won two individual events, including LIV Golf Chicago and finished top 10 in 11 of 12 events. He won the season long individual title and the $18 million bonus. His team Legion XIII have also been a force to be reckoned with in the team events, so all in all he’s had a great transition to LIV Golf.
Majors and World Rankings: A Mixed Bag
While Rahm has thrived in the LIV Golf League, his major championships have been a different story. In 2024 he finished 45th in the Masters, missed the cut in the PGA Championship, withdrew from the U.S. Open due to injury and tied 7th in The Open Championship. So has the LIV schedule with its 54-hole events and less frequent competition against the top players prepared him for the rigors of the majors? And Rahm’s world ranking has taken a hit because LIV events are not part of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) system. That could impact his eligibility for future majors and other big tournaments and be a problem for his long-term legacy in the game.
Endorsements and Brand Value: Long Term
Despite the LIV Golf controversy, Rahm’s marketability is still strong. He’s still with big brands like Callaway, Rolex, Mercedes-Benz, and TopGolf. His global appeal and consistency have kept his endorsement portfolio strong and that’s a big chunk of his earnings.
Legacy and Future Prospects: A Balancing Act
Rahm’s move to LIV Golf has certainly increased his bank account and given him a platform to continue playing well. But the trade-off has been a decline in major championships and a drop in world rankings, which are key to a golfer’s legacy. As talks continue about unification between LIV Golf and the PGA TOUR, Rahm’s decisions in the next few years will be crucial to his place in golf history.
Jon Rahm’s 2025 So far
Jon Rahm’s 2025 has been a reflection of his continued excellence and the complexities of playing on multiple tours. In LIV Golf, Rahm has been solid. He started the season with a 2nd place in Riyadh, just missing the individual title but winning the team title with Legion XIII. In the following events he had top 10s, a 6th in Adelaide and Hong Kong and a 4th in Mexico City. He’s been near the top of the LIV standings.
In majors, Rahm improved with a 14th place at the 2025 Masters, a big bounce back from his T45 the previous year. But his OWGR has dropped to 49th, mainly because LIV events don’t count towards OWGR points. He also played the DP World Tour’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic to fulfill his eligibility requirements for the 2025 Ryder Cup. He remains committed to playing on multiple tours.
Overall, Rahm’s 2025 has been about resilience and adaptability, playing well in LIV Golf and chasing majors and international events.
A Calculated Trade-Off
In the end, Jon Rahm’s move to LIV Golf has paid big time in terms of money and LIV Golf performance. But it’s come at the cost of major championships and world rankings. As Rahm himself says, to solidify his legacy he needs to win more majors or big events on the PGA TOUR. Will his decision help or hurt his place in golf history? Only time will tell. For now, he’s the face of the trade-offs modern golfers face.