PGA players want Jon Rahm to return $300 million LIV money amid merger talks

The PGA Tour and PIF merger has made progress, but the enormous signing amount received by LIV golfers, especially Jon Rahm, remains an issue. The Spaniard reportedly received $300 million for joining LIV Golf, and some PGA Tour players are asking Rahm and others to return their money.

Bloomberg reported on this and revealed that the deal has inched closer, but there are still a few sticking points holding the negotiations back. First is Jon Rahm's contract with LIV Golf, and second is getting PGA Tour players to agree to compete in the LIV Golf events.

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"Update on PGA Tour-PIF negotiations (via @Bloomberg)

(1) "A particular sticking point is Jon Rahm's reported $300 million LIV contract...some PGA Tour players want Rahm - and others - to hand back money"

(2) "Other issues include getting PGA Tour players to agree to tour the world to participate in LIV Golf events."

Jon Rahm joined LIV Golf in 2024 for reportedly $300 million, making him the highest-paid golfer of the year. So, some PGA Tour players probably feel they are disadvantaged for not joining LIV earlier as they lost out on the money and hence want to be compensated by asking the LIV Golf players to give up their signing amounts.

The PGA Tour players wouldn't want to add more events to their calendar as they already play around 15 to 18 events. Hence, getting them to compete on the LIV Golf after the merger will be a challenge.

The PGA Tour-PIF merger talks have been in progress for over a year, and there is no real concrete step toward finalizing the negotiations. It is becoming challenging day-by-day to find a middle ground that keeps both the PGA Tour players and LIV Golfers content.

Jon Rahm wins the 2024 LIV Golf individual championship

Jon Rahm won the 2024 LIV Golf individual championship in his first-ever LIV Golf season. Despite missing one event due to injury, the Spanish golfer showcased great consistency throughout the season.

He finished inside of the top 10 in all the events and registered two wins this season. He won the LIV Golf United Kingdom, Chicago, and finished runner-up at the Greenbrier event.

In the post-round press conference, the Spaniard talked about the feeling of winning the season-long individual championship compared to other wins he has registered worldwide.

"Can't really compare anything to Majors in the sport that we live in, but being able to win the season-long race in two out of the three big leagues and having almost done it on the PGA Tour, as well, it's a different feeling," Rahm said.

The 29-year-old golfer will now compete at LIV Golf Dallas this week, the final event to win the season-long Team championship.