Amidst viral outbursts and major disappointments, Jon Rahm dismisses speculation of remorse over his LIV Golf defection, emphasizing the league's enjoyment and team aspect while acknowledging personal challenges affecting his performance.
Jon Rahm, the 2021 Masters and 2023 U.S. Open champion, has made headlines since joining LIV Golf late last year, not only for his on-course achievements but also for his emotional outbursts. Despite these incidents, Rahm has been vocal about his contentment with the Saudi-backed league, denying rumors of buyer's remorse.
"A lot of people beat around the bush [when I'm asked if I like LIV]," Rahm told Fox News Digital. "And I'm going to say yes, yeah."
Jon Rahm Denies Rumors of LIV Golf Regrets: "A Lot of Potential in LIV Golf
Rahm acknowledged the rumors surrounding his alleged unhappiness, but dismissed them as unfounded. "I don't know why some people keep insisting and trying to make this happen," he said. "They did that with Brooks [Koepka] last season. They have to come up with somebody being unhappy, and the truth is, we're all extremely happy."
The Spaniard emphasized that he has no buyer's remorse and has enjoyed his time in LIV Golf. "It's been a really fun ride," Rahm said. "I've had bad years in majors before – before that, they blamed it on me not being able to control my emotions, they would compare me to something else. Matter of fact is, I just played bad, plain and simple."
Rahm acknowledged that his poor performance in majors this year has fueled speculation about his decision to join LIV, but he believes it's a matter of coincidence. "I think a lot of people are letting themselves pick and choose and judging my year based on three events," he said. "Yeah, Masters, not good, PGA, not good. Really, it was two weeks, because the U.S. Open, I couldn't play."
Bryson DeChambeau, another LIV Golf defector, suggested that Rahm's struggles may be due to personal issues. "My wife and I did not have the easiest pregnancy this year, and if at any point it didn't seem like me, having health scares and life-threatening scenarios I think are reason enough to maybe be that way, and that can easily influence my golf," Rahm admitted.
Despite the challenges, Rahm remains optimistic about LIV Golf's potential. "It's been so much fun to be a part of it," he said. "For people that haven't experienced it, tell them try to not judge, go watch a tournament and see if you can enjoy it."
Rahm believes that LIV Golf and the PGA Tour can coexist and complement each other. "There's room for both," he said. "I hope we get into that space soon."
While acknowledging the external pressures, Rahm is unfazed by the ongoing scrutiny. "I'm in a very privileged position," he said. "I won two majors. I've won more money than I ever dreamed of. I'm in a fantastic place in my life. I'm married to a great woman. I'm going to have a beautiful baby boy. So there's a lot of positives that I have to take into account."
As LIV Golf continues to navigate its growing pains and legal battles, Rahm remains a staunch advocate for the league, confident that its unique format and team aspect will continue to attract fans and players alike.
