Calling Jon Rahm the voice of reason may raise a few eyebrows among golf fans who watch the Spaniard on a regular basis. The 28-year-old is, after all, known for his combative nature on the golf course and has also developed a reputation for running hot after hitting a wayward shot. However, irrespective of these on-course traits, the truth is that Rahm is an intelligent guy who has an impressive knack for getting to the bottom of any issues that the professional game is going through by offering a disarmingly honest view.
Relaxed Rahm speaks his mind before The Open
This was evident again when the Spaniard was speaking on the eve of The Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Course. Rahm cut an extremely relaxed figure in the media tent which it should be said, is equally as remarkable given that the golf latest betting odds for the 151st Open Championship price Rahm at +1000 to win the competition. Instead, there were no signs of any pre-tournament nerves as the favorite for Open glory happily fielded question after question from the world’s journalists.
What a fun way to kick this year off and it was even more special to do it with my family there with me! Thanks to all for the support and can’t to see what the rest of 2023 will bring – Vamos! pic.twitter.com/M9nycePlwH
— Jon Rahm Rodriguez (@JonRahmpga) January 9, 2023
As you can imagine, most of the questions were about Royal Liverpool Golf Course which will host The Open, and how Rahm felt about his chances going into the week.
Then, just as Rahm was about to conclude his media duties, he was asked about the recent announcement that a merger was set to take place between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour.
How much is enough?
Specifically, Rahm was asked if he expected to be part of the group paid out by the PGA Tour as a way of rewarding those players who stayed loyal to the organization by turning down the millions that LIV Golf was offering in 2022.
In Rahm’s case, it is suggested that the Spaniard turned down well in excess of $100 million from LIV Golf to remain a PGA Tour player.
Essentially, there was no one better to ask this question to but Rahm’s answer was a measured one. Immediately, Rahm said that he does not need to be compensated by the PGA Tour as the organization has provided him with the opportunity to enjoy the career he has.
🗣️ "I wasn't forced into anything. It was my choice to stay."
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 18, 2023
Jon Rahm claims that he doesn't expect a reward for staying loyal to the PGA Tour 💰 pic.twitter.com/Qg2GdxMv2G
With a large majority of players currently doing everything they can to recoup lost earnings by proving that they stayed loyal to the PGA Tour, Rahm’s thoughtful response was incredibly rare.
At least, apart from Tiger Woods or Rory Mcllroy, there was no bigger fish that LIV Golf was after other than Rahm which gives him a strong hand when it comes to negotiating with the PGA Tour about the price of his unwavering devotion. However, the 2023 Masters champion has no intention to and is content with the earnings he has made in his career so far.
Rather, Rahm was more vocal about there being some form of punishment for players who took money from LIV Golf only to rejoin the PGA Tour less than 12 months later.
Rahm has everything to gain but is happy to pass it up
This is a point of view that will be listened to as Rahm has clearly shown that he is not interested in improving his personal financial situation and instead, would merely like to see some type of disciplinary process take place for returning players. In Rahm’s eyes, fellow pros who chased the bright lights of LIV Golf can’t have their cake and eat it. Notably, the world number three is walking the walk on this subject.
Transparency and fairness are commodities that have been in short supply in the professional game of golf over the last year but Rahm’s considered insights are likely to set the tone for how this long-standing LIV debate will end.