PLAYER PROFILE · LIV GOLF
Jon Rahm is the finest Spanish golfer since Seve Ballesteros — a two-time major champion, a former World No. 1, and a competitor whose fire and compact, powerful swing have made him one of the defining players of his generation. Since December 2023 he has led LIV Golf’s Legion XIII.
| Full name | Jon Rahm Rodríguez |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 November 1994, Barrika, Basque Country, Spain |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Turned pro | 2016 |
| Primary tour | LIV Golf (Legion XIII, captain) |
| Height | 6′ 2″ (1.88 m) |
| Major championships | 2 (U.S. Open 2021, Masters 2023) |
| Former ranking | World No. 1 |
| College | Arizona State University |
Early Life & the Basque Roots
Rahm grew up in Barrika, a small coastal town in the Basque Country, and carries the region’s identity with unmistakable pride. He was born with a club right foot; the corrective approach left that leg shorter and less mobile than the other, and it shaped the most recognisable feature of his golf — a short, coiled backswing built for control rather than range. He crossed the Atlantic to Arizona State, the college of his idol Phil Mickelson, and became one of the most decorated amateurs in NCAA history before turning professional in 2016.
Rise to World No. 1 & the Majors
Rahm reached World No. 1 for the first time in 2020 and confirmed his status the following summer at Torrey Pines, closing with two long birdie putts to win the 2021 U.S. Open — a victory made more poignant by a positive Covid test that had forced him to withdraw from a tournament he was dominating only weeks earlier. His second major, the 2023 Masters, was a masterclass in cold-blooded control in difficult conditions, and cemented his place among the era’s elite. Twice he has carried the burden of being the best player in the world, and twice he has worn it well.
The Move to LIV
Rahm’s decision to join LIV Golf in December 2023 was among the most consequential in the sport’s recent history. Long one of the establishment’s most eloquent defenders, his switch — to captain the new Legion XIII franchise — signalled that no player was beyond the breakaway league’s reach, and reshaped the balance of the ongoing struggle between the tours. He has remained adamant about his desire to keep competing in the majors and, above all, in the Ryder Cup, where his value to Europe is close to irreplaceable.
Playing Style
Rahm plays with a controlled fury that is unlike anyone else at the top of the game. The short backswing generates enormous power through timing and sequencing rather than length of arc, and his hands around the green are as soft as his temperament is fiery. He is an emotional competitor — visibly, sometimes volcanically so — and has spoken openly about channelling that intensity rather than suppressing it. When the fire is pointed in the right direction, he is as complete and as intimidating a player as golf has.
Off the Course
Married to his college sweetheart, Kelley, and a father of several children, Rahm is a devoted family man who has kept his base in Arizona while remaining a fierce ambassador for Spanish and Basque golf. He carries the lineage of Ballesteros and José María Olazábal consciously and proudly, and is, for a generation of young Spanish players, the standard to aspire to.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many majors has Jon Rahm won?
Jon Rahm has won two major championships — the 2021 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines and the 2023 Masters — and has spent significant time at World No. 1 across his career.
How old is Jon Rahm and where is he from?
Rahm was born on 10 November 1994 in Barrika, in the Basque Country of northern Spain. He played college golf at Arizona State and turned professional in 2016.
Why is Jon Rahm’s swing so short?
Rahm was born with a club right foot, which left that leg shorter and with limited mobility. He built a famously short, compact backswing around it — a move that sacrifices length of arc for stability and control, and that he has turned into one of the most powerful and repeatable actions in the game.
Which tour does Jon Rahm play on?
Rahm joined LIV Golf in December 2023, where he captains the Legion XIII team. He continues to compete in the major championships and has been a central figure for Europe in the Ryder Cup.
What is Jon Rahm’s Ryder Cup record?
Rahm has been one of Europe’s most reliable Ryder Cup performers, a passionate competitor whose singles and foursomes points have been central to recent European success. His fire and leadership make him a talismanic figure in the team room.