Jon Rahm stays optimistic that skilled golf can attain an excellent “larger degree” after years of turmoil, and he pointed Tuesday to at the very least two areas that he hopes could possibly be cleared up within the interim.
Rahm is the highest-profile participant to leap to LIV Golf when he made the transfer in winter 2023 – lower than six months after the announcement of a framework settlement between the PGA Tour and Saudi Public Funding Fund. However as he begins his 2025 marketing campaign this week on the DP World Tour’s Dubai Desert Basic, there stays little motion, at the very least publicly, on that entrance.
Rahm admitted that he thought “issues could be additional alongside at this level.”
“I believe so many people need some form of decision to return collectively and get the very best product for the buyer, which is what I believe we’re nonetheless able to do,” he advised reporters Tuesday in Dubai. “However I believe we’re residing in a golden period proper now for golf the place the probabilities are limitless. A giant tour in Europe and a worldwide and an enormous and large tour, the PGA Tour. And you’ve got one other large product with LIV and now you’re even including the TGL. With regards to golf, the probabilities are there proper now.
“I believe with the proper minds put collectively, you’ll be able to find yourself with a product – and I’ve been saying this all alongside – that might put golf at a unique degree on the planet of sport. I’m nonetheless hopeful that that may occur.”
With LIV abandoning its bid for world-ranking factors, Rahm has dropped to No. 31 on the planet. Although that doesn’t have an effect on him as a lot as others due to his main exemptions by advantage of his 2023 Masters win, Rahm mentioned it’s “unfair” that the league doesn’t obtain factors – regardless of acknowledging he knew it was a definite chance earlier than he joined – and is and not using a direct pathway to the sport’s greatest occasions.
“At this level, to not give LIV world rating factors and the credibility it deserves, I believe is unsuitable,” Rahm mentioned. “I perceive we’ve all decided and it’s not as simple because it sounds, however to say that LIV gamers don’t deserve some spots in main championships I believe is unsuitable and I hope that evolves into what it needs to be. … There needs to be a manner for us to qualify. And the world rating factors, (they) must determine one thing out as a result of it’s not honest for anyone in that sense.”
There additionally stays the problem of the European Ryder Cup staff.
Rahm maintained his eligibility for this yr’s squad by assembly the minimal event requirement on the DP World Tour. He’s at the moment interesting the fines imposed on him for enjoying LIV occasions, and he mentioned Tuesday that he hopes the enchantment will not be heard till after the Ryder Cup in September.
“I don’t assume that will be good for anyone,” Rahm mentioned of an earlier listening to. “However my plan is to be at Bethpage.”
Rahm is a three-time winner in Dubai, however that is the primary time he’s competing within the Dubai Desert Basic, the primary Rolex Collection occasion of the yr headlined by the Spaniard, Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland and a number of potential European Ryder Cuppers.
Rahm’s LIV season doesn’t start till Feb. 6 in Saudi Arabia.
