Jon Rahm and the mysteries of his 3.24 million jackets

3.24 million dollars. This is the check that Jon Rahm pocketed for winning the Augusta Masters. The tournament has never distributed so much money. The green jacket, one of the greatest symbols of sporting success, travels to Barrika. The PGA’s prize money is a long way from the 50 million LIV distributed in Miami, but Rahm has no doubts: “Even with 400 million more, my lifestyle wouldn’t change one bit.“.

With four titles won in his extraordinary season, Rahm has already earned $10.98 million. He took 3.6 million at the Genesis Invitational, 2.7 at the Sentry Tournament of Champions and 1.44 at The American Express, in addition to a 3.24 at Augusta National. Astronomical figure that, however, fight LIV prizes, if one thinks that Eugenio López Chacarra received a check for 4.8 million for winning the Bangkok tournament in October.

In glory won at Augusta, Rahm is tied for seventeenth on the list of golfers who have won the most PGA Tour prizes, with 45,072 million. Tiger Woods is the remaining leader with 120,954 million, ahead of Phil Mickelson (94,955) and Dustin Johnson (74,897).

Interestingly, both Mickelson and Johnson left the PGA last year to join the Saudi LIV.

THE MYSTERIES OF THE GREEN JACKET

There are many legends about the iconic green jacket of the Masters. It is one of the most recognizable symbols of the world’s sports and social elite. Only tournament champions and a very small group of Augusta National members are eligible to receive one.

Tradition calls for the previous year’s winner to hand the jacket to his successor, as Scottie Scheffler did this year with Rahm. The champion can keep it for one year, but it must be handed over upon arrival at Augusta National for the next edition.

There is maximum privacy between the organizers when giving details about the dress. The PGA itself acknowledges, on its official page, that the true origin of the legend is unknown.

Of course, there is no doubt that the jacket has been given to the champion since 1937. At first, the New York tailoring company Brooks Uniform Company was in charge of making the jacket, but since 1967 this honor has passed to the Hamilton Tailoring Co. of Cincinnati (Ohio), said the PGA. Getting information about this tailor shop is very complicated. Buying a green jacket for general customers is impossible.

CHAMPION’S LUXURY

In addition to millions of dollars in prize money, Masters champions also enjoy privileged treatment for life.

the green jacketthe replica of the champion’s trophy, a privileged lane to participate in the ‘big’ in the five years following the victory and, above all, a lifetime invitation to compete in the Augusta Masters.

That is why every year, in addition to the great golfers of today, absolute legends of this sport compete in Augusta.. One of them, Fred Couples, made history this year by becoming the oldest veteran capable of making the cut, at the age of 63 years and 184 days.

In addition, Jack Nicklays, Gary Player and Tom Watson were in charge of giving the symbolic kick-off to the tournament. It is a real trinity of Masters, respectively wearing six, three and two titles in this tournament.

According to legend, the winner of the tournament also has the right to choose the menu for the opening dinner of the Masters next year.. Rahm, a good friend of chef José Andrés, has already acknowledged that he plans to ask for special treatment this year.

WILL MY LIFESTYLE CHANGE ANOTHER 400 MILLION?

Last June, during the height of tension due to the ‘flight’ of golfers to the millionaire LIV tournaments, Rahm gave a powerful press conference that became a manifesto of his philosophy.

“I understand the attraction that LIV has, I understand, to put it nicely, the reasons why many players choose it. To be honest, I don’t find the format attractive. Three rounds without a cut is not golf for mine. I want to play against the best in the world with a format that has been used for hundreds of years,” he said then.

“Yes, LIV prizes are great. Would my lifestyle change if I had 400 million? No, I wouldn’t change one bit. I can retire now and have a very happy life without ever playing golf again. I never played for money, I play for the love of this sport and I want to compete against the best,” he said.