Masters champion Rahm joins LIV Golf, deal reportedly worth US$300 million

After weeks of speculation, two-time major champion Jon Rahm joined LIV Golf on Thursday (Dec 8().

The Spaniard reportedly signed a massive deal in excess of US$300 million, another hit for the PGA Tour as it races the clock to finalise an agreement to ally with the Saudi-backed league.

"I am proud to join LIV Golf and be part of something new that is bringing growth to the sport," Rahm said in a news release. "I have no doubt that this is a great opportunity for me and my family and am very excited for the future."

LIV already enticed Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and others from the PGA Tour with huge paydays, but adding Rahm - the No 3 player in the world and an immensely popular player among fans - is a severe hit for the tour.

"LIV Golf is here to stay," LIV COO Lawrence Burian said in a statement. "The addition of Jon reemphasizes that our League is not slowing down. We are continuing to invest and build aggressively for LIV's long-term and exciting future."

The Wall Street Journal was first to report the Rahm defection, with ESPN and Sports Illustrated later confirming it.

While overseas media valued the deal at US$600 million, ESPN said Rahm's LIV contract is expected to be for more than three years and worth more than US$300 million. Under the terms, LIV also will add a 13th team for Rahm to helm and give him an ownership stake. ESPN added that LIV is recruiting more PGA Tour players to add to Rahm's team.

Details about Rahm's team "will be announced at a later date," LIV said in a press release.

In June, the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia announced an agreement to join forces, and there is a Dec 31 deadline to seal the deal. How Rahm joining LIV's roster will impact the