The future of Jon Rahm was understandably one of the main talking points following the emergence of reports about LIV Golf’s future this week.
It appears that there is great doubt over what LIV Golf will look like in the coming years. The Financial Times has claimed that the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia plans to end its funding of the league.
Obviously, the implications could be a lot more serious for some of those who work behind the scenes. But it is going to be fascinating to see what happens with the likes of Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau.
Kevin Kisner says why Jon Rahm’s LIV Golf move surprised him
Rahm’s move to LIV Golf threatened to be a tipping point in the game’s civil war. He was arguably the best player in the world when he decided to leave the PGA Tour. The Spaniard was also the current Masters champion.
It was a statement that he felt that he was better off jumping to LIV. Of course, the financial benefits were crucial in convincing him to join. But Rahm had previously spoken of money not being something he needed to consider.
He clearly felt that he would be able to play at a high enough level to have his cake and eat it too. Unfortunately, that has not exactly been the case.
And speaking on the Fore Play Podcast, Kevin Kisner suggested what Rahm may have said to the key LIV figures following his disappointing finish at The Masters this past week.
“I think there was a point where I was even, ‘how many of these dudes are they going to take before things get really weird over here?’ And the Rahm bombshell was crazy to me, because he was on top of the world,” he said.
“He really likes attention, so I don’t understand why he would go over there, and I think he’s feeling that in his game right now. ‘I’m not being recognised everywhere I go, and I’m not preparing for the majors the way I probably need to over here’, and I don’t know if that’s causing some of the fractured-ness of LIV, or if it’s just the PIF money, because you’re already seeing Brooks come back, P Reed leave.
“Rahm doesn’t play great at The Masters, is he like, ‘this is not getting me ready for all the things I want to do’? I don’t know, I’m speculating there, but could that be some of the decisions that’s behind what’s gone on? If Jon Rahm goes to Yasir and says, ‘I’m leaving too, I can’t play poorly in The Masters because I’m playing these crappy golf courses and we’re playing music really loud and everybody’s getting drunk while I’m playing. I need to get back to work where I can win majors’.
“I don’t know, it’s just an interesting thought I’ve had wondering if some of that amongst the players is making Yasir second guess doing this.”
Jon Rahm’s Masters record since joining LIV is extremely alarming
Rahm has been hugely successful on LIV. He has won the individual title at the end of both of the seasons he has completed on the league.
But his form at the majors since his move is back under the microscope after his poor showing at The Masters this month.
Rahm’s average finishing position at Augusta National was just above 11th before he signed with LIV. That average has been nearly three times worse across the last three appearances.
He appeared to be someone who could rival Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. But he has only registered three top 10s in the majors since joining LIV.
It is impossible to know whether LIV is to blame. But what is clear is that no one can argue that he has become a better player since December 2023.
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