PGA Tour: Jon Rahm drops truth bombs about Ryder Cup, LIV Golf future

Jon Rahm has been a busy man.

Following his sturdy efficiency at The Open Championship, Rahm appeared on Golf Sin Etiquetas, a Spanish golf podcast, to debate a wide range of subjects.

First, Rahm squashed any rumor floating round that he might be a part of LIV Golf within the close to future.

“I snicker when individuals rumor me with LIV Golf,” Rahm stated in Spanish, which Handicap 54 transcribed, translated, and posted to its Twitter feed.

“I’ve by no means favored the format. And I at all times have a superb time with Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia within the apply rounds of majors.”

Mickelson attended Arizona State, the identical faculty Rahm performed for and graduated from in 2016. The 2 share a bond over their beloved Solar Devils.

“Phil respects my resolution, and I respect his [choice],” Rahm added. “Mickelson has advised me that I’ve no cause to go play for LIV, and he has advised me that a number of instances.”

Photograph by Jamie Squire/Getty Pictures

Rahm’s remarks about Mickelson and LIV Golf come as a real reprieve from the divide that has bothered skilled golf over the previous few years.

But, the Spaniard feels that LIV goes nowhere, one other matter he touched on with Golf Sin Etiquetas.

“I believe LIV Golf will proceed, from what I perceive and have talked about with their gamers,” Rahm stated. “None of them intend to return, and for that, they left the PGA Tour. They left for a cause.”

Rahm didn’t take a stance on whether or not this was a optimistic or destructive growth.

As an alternative, he pressed on concerning the future, hoping that the inflow of capital from the Saudi Public Funding Fund (PIF)—the beneficiary of LIV Golf—would enhance the PGA Tour.

“With all this capital that may come, we are able to create a greater PGA Tour for everybody,” Rahm added.

“In order that the week is healthier, that the health club is healthier, that there’s a restoration space, that the physiotherapists have higher situations, that the meals is extra constant and the most effective, that there’s a constitution flight for the gamers [between tournaments].”

Rahm continued to offer perspective about life on the PGA Tour.

Making a dwelling on tour is tough for a lot of touring professionals, particularly those that rank round a hundred and twenty fifth on the planet. Typically, these gamers will lose cash in a given 12 months due to touring, lodging, meals, and extra bills.

Rahm didn’t categorical agitation over this dilemma; as an alternative, he highlighted an ignored concern.

Photograph by Keyur Khamar/PGA TOUR by way of Getty Pictures

However Rahm expressed his frustrations about present PGA Tour officers failing to tell gamers of their behind-the-scenes conversations with the PIF.

“Two minutes earlier than the announcement got here out, somebody from the PGA Tour contacted me and advised me all the things,” Rahm stated. “I believed it was a joke. And that is what they need to have finished from the start. As an alternative, they generated division after which determined to return collectively once more.”

On Jun. 6, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan appeared alongside Yasir al-Rumayyan, the Governor of the PIF, to announce to the world that the PGA and the PIF had struck a ‘framework settlement.’ Basically, this language signifies that the 2 sides have agreed to settle their variations and negotiate a deal by Dec. 31, 2023.

This information blindsided golfers.

That included Rahm, who accused PGA Tour administration of betraying its gamers forward of the U.S. Open in June.

Photograph by Richard Heathcote/Getty Pictures

One other topic Rahm touched on throughout this podcast was the Ryder Cup, an occasion Rahm has a deep ardour for, much like how his idol Seve Ballesteros did throughout his enjoying days.

“With all of the respect for European gamers, the one one from LIV I’d select for the Ryder Cup could be Sergio [Garcia],” Rahm famous. “We could have a change of dynamics, with extra younger gamers, who might be in the identical scenario I’ve been in earlier than.”

Rahm and Garcia, two Spaniards, have shared loads of Ryder Cup success.

When the Europeans dominated the People in France in 2018, Rahm and Garcia mixed to win 4 factors.

Three years later, these two Spaniards have been the one Europeans who recorded a minimum of three factors every. The People gained with ease at Whistling Straits, successful the cup again from Europe for the primary time since 2016.

Photograph by David Cannon/Getty Pictures

Now Rahm will doubtless not have Garcia in 2023 as a result of his affiliation with LIV Golf—an unlucky circumstance contemplating Garcia is the winningest participant in Ryder Cup historical past.

“I want somebody who understands how I am going on the golf course, with a sure grit and a few depth,” Rahm stated concerning the upcoming Ryder Cup in Italy. “It needs to be somebody keen to have the identical vitality stage as me, as I did with Sergio Garcia.”

The 2023 Ryder Cup will mark Rahm’s third time representing the European aspect.

However the problems surrounding LIV Golf will make the bi-annual competitors look a lot totally different than in years previous.

Rahm will not be the younger buck anymore. As an alternative, he’ll function one of many completed veterans mentoring youthful gamers on the European aspect.

Possibly he ought to mentor your entire {golfing} world too.

Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in Via. You possibly can observe him on Twitter @jack_milko for extra golf protection. Remember to take a look at @_PlayingThrough too.