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Jon Rahm’s LIV Golf Defection Ups Pressure on PGA Tour Deal

Coup to sign world No. 3 golfer comes amid crucial talks
Deal a sign how serious Saudi Arabia is investing in the sport

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By Malathi Nayak, Giles Turner, and Gillian Tan

December 8, 2023 at 1:06 PM UTC

Saudi Arabia secured a much-hyped coup in signing Jon Rahm, one of the world’s top golfers, to its LIV Golf league — but the real work ahead lies in eliminating hurdles to a historic tie-up with the PGA Tour before the year-end deadline.

The deal for Rahm, 29, is partly an attempt to highlight how serious Saudi Arabia is in owning a slice of one of the world’s most lucrative sports, coming during a crucial time for talks between the PGA Tour, PIF and US authorities, according to people close to the talks.