The Spanish golfer Jon Rahm, At just 29 years old this November, he can live in peace because he is a multimillionaire. He already was before closing this Thursday his agreement of more than 500 million euros for six seasons, by which he changes the PGA Tour for LIV Golf, the controversial Saudi tour that made him an offer impossible to reject, which makes him one of the highest paid athletes in the world.
A little over a year ago the athlete said that he was not motivated by money and that he could retire and live his entire life with the fortune he had already accumulated. What has changed? “I have made this decision because I believe it is the best for me and my family, and everyone I've been able to talk to has been very supportive. “So I am very comfortable with my decision,” he said this Thursday. He explains that he does it “to guarantee the best resources to mine.”
The brand new signing of the all-powerful sport of Saudi Arabia married Kelley Cahill in 2019, four years ago. They met at the University of Arizona, where the Basque golfer studied on a scholarship, and they have not separated. They have two children and she is passionate about Spain.
She is the same age as her husband and has a degree in Biology. She was a javelin thrower. We always see her next to hers, like when in April she won her first Augusta Master with 276 strokes, her fourth victory in four months and the confirmation of her stellar year that ends with the millionaire signing.
Jon and his wife met in 2016 at a university dance, while he was enjoying a scholarship to learn golf. Their wedding, of which Lottery Day (December 22) celebrate their fourth anniversary, in the basilica of Our Lady of Begoña of Bilbao: “It was a dream wedding and in a very special place! “I am lucky to have married my better half, Kelley Rahm!” wrote the lover.
The bride also had a second wedding in her homeland: the second wedding was in San Diego, USA. They met at a university dance in Arizona, where they were studying, and Rahm won eleven tournaments in his specialty: “I have many memories from this year, but the most important was starting my relationship with Kelley,” the athlete said on his Instagram accounts.
Jon's wife is very athletic: he loves playing tennis and American football with her, where, by the way, Kelley amazes: “Yes, she throws a spiral! I'd better stick with golf,” the Basque joked. They also share daily training and there the competition resurfaces: “Anything you can do, I can do better,” Rahm challenges him through networks.
Athletic Bilbao fan
They are parents of two children. Kepa was born in 2020, in the same year that Rahm reached number one in the world of golf for the first time. Eneko was born in August 2022. Until the signing of the contract, the family's residence was in Arizona, although they do not stop traveling. Jon and his wife often visit the golfer's Basque family. Declared fan of Athletic Bilbao, in his speech after signing the million-dollar agreement, there was no lack of reference to his club. In fact, whenever he can he goes to San Mamés.
Jon said a long time ago that he did not play for money but he has changed his mind and signed for Saudi Arabia, following in the footsteps of others like Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema.
“This decision was for many reasons that I thought was best for me,” said the golfer according to ESPN, one of the media outlets that attended a video call this Thursday with this year's Augusta Masters champion.
“Don't get me wrong, it's a great deal. I had a really good offer in front of me and that's one of the reasons I took it. They really put me in a position where I had to think about it and I did,” he added. .
Rahm acknowledged that there will be people who do not understand his decision after having shown in the past his rejection of LIV Golf and his loyalty to the PGA Tour. “Well, with every decision we make in life there will be someone who agrees and likes it and someone who doesn't,” he said.
In another sense, Rahm hoped that his departure will not affect the possibility of continuing to participate in the Ryder Cup, an option that several players on the Saudi tour, such as his compatriot Sergio García, lost due to the conflict with the PGA Tour and the DP World. Tour with LIV Golf.
“I love the Ryder Cup. I have explained many times how meaningful it is to me and of course I hope to be able to be in future editions.” she said.
“It's a big risk (going to LIV Golf in terms of the Ryder Cup), but I've taken it into consideration and, again, I hope I can be part of the team again,” he said.
I am proud to join @livgolf_league and be part of something new that is bringing growth to the sport. I have no doubt that this is a great opportunity for me and my family and am very excited for the future. pic.twitter.com/myf4isJgJ3
— Jon Rahm Rodriguez (@JonRahmpga) December 7, 2023
Finally, Rahm expressed his desire for the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to join their paths, something they began to do with an agreement in principle – not yet closed and pending negotiation – reached last June.
“A lot has happened in golf and we have seen steps forward to unite the sport,” said Rahm, who noted that his “goal” as a golfer is to take the sport “to a better position.”