It has been rumored for several weeks, and on Thursday the news of world No. 3 Jon Rahm leaping to LIV Golf was made official. The figures of his contract range depending on who you ask, but it is widely assumed he will be cashing in on at least $300 million over the next three years with an equity stake in his new team. According to trademarks requested by LIV Golf, Rahm’s team name could either be “Hybrid GC” or “Dirty Grooves GC.”
Perhaps that’s what was delaying the announcement.
There are numerous angles from which to dissect Rahm’s signing, but the one I wish to focus on is the timing.
Malcom Gladwell uses statistical analysis in Outliers to help the reader understand why timing is so important in becoming successful. He examines the birth years of Silicon Valley titans like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. He discusses how birth months correlate with the roster composition on junior national hockey teams in Canada. Timing is, of course, not the only factor one needs in order to become successful. They need a strong support system, the correct environment, persistence (i.e., the 10,000-hour rule) and even some luck. All of these ingredients get thrown into a blender — some by chance and others on purpose — and produce either a successful or unsuccessful final product.
Each line item of the recipe is important. Each plays a critical role. Each needs to function in its own unique way, but one stands out as more pungent than the rest and that is timing.
The timing of Rahm’s departure from the PGA Tour is not coincidental. The Dec. 31 deadline for the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund to come to terms in their agreement to house commercial operations under a new for-profit entity is nearing. There are murmurs the two sides are still fall apart with the PIF’s move to acquire Rahm being, just that, a move to remain the central figure in the room after PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan invited his friends and family from the private equity world to the party.
The PGA Tour had an opportunity to squash all of this around the time of the June 6 announcement, according to a report from Sports Illustrated. The PIF expressed a willingness to put up a $1 billion fund for those PGA Tour players who did not accept LIV Golf contracts — to make them whole, so to speak. This $1 billion would be on top of another $2 billion infused into the new for-profit entity dubbed PGA Tour Enterprises (or as I call it, the Enterprise Starship).
As we sit here on Dec. 8, we know this original offer was brushed aside, and the PGA Tour has paid dearly for it. Ponte Vedra is engulfed in chaos according to Barstool’s Dan Rapaport and Patrick Cantlay has been chosen to take the wheel with Raine Capital’s Colin Neville serving as his navigation system.
Chaos.
Chaos can be a scary time for some, but for others it can be seen as a time to take advantage of what is transpiring. People can change their lives during times of chaos — just look at the transfer of wealth during COVID-19 — if they are willing to climb.
In Game of Thrones, Petyr Baelish or Littlefinger, as he is commonly known as, is the king of chaos and operates under the philosophy that order is fragile and can easily be disrupted. Littlefinger embraces unpredictability and sows seeds of doubt into situations. While everyone is looking around for someone to blame in times of crisis, he climbs with a smirk on his face.
“Chaos isn't a pit. Chaos is a ladder,” said Littlefinger. “Many who try to climb it fail and never get to try it again. The fall breaks them. And some are given a chance to climb. They refuse. They cling to the realm or the gods or love. Illusions. Only the ladder is real. The climb is all there is.”
Instead of sitting around and accepting his fate, Rahm climbed.
He climbed towards half a billion and generational wealth. He climbed for the chance to grow the game in Spain (which I wish to believe is the only genuine thing he said in his announcement). He climbed out of the illusion that Monahan is suddenly going to start making the right decisions when he hasn’t made a single one the past two years.
None of this could happen in times of peace. Hell, none of this could happen before June 6. Those who came before Rahm — Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka et al. — were put through the wringer by media members and the general public. Their ladders were filled with spikes and brittle steps.
Monahan’s acceptance of the PIF’s money after constant criticism from the moral high ground and his inability to lead have given time for a new ladder to emerge. Fortunately for Rahm and those who may follow, this climb is much easier. The steps are sturdy and sure. Unfortunately for us, the rest of the game of golf is not.
LIV Golf has a way of maximizing golf news. Wonder who will be on the team?