“I’m hoping I can come back”: Jon Rahm opens up about his decision to switch allegiance to LIV Golf
Jon Rahm left for LIV Golf about three months ago, and while it's been a positive experience overall, he recently admitted he's had some internal struggles.
On the course, Rahm has been fine. He hasn't won yet, but he has performed well. It's the internal side of the decision that has been toughest on him, and while he doesn't regret it, he said he'd like to be able to return and play again one day.
Rahm opened up on the transition from the PGA Tour, via Golf.com:
“I’m not going to lie; for everybody who said [leaving for LIV] would be easy, some things have been, but not being able to defend some titles that mean a lot to me hasn’t."
Rahm particularly enjoys playing at Palm Springs. He has been able to win twice there. Rahm said Riviera is "about as charismatic of a golf course as we have."
The Spaniard added that he had made his decision and was comfortable with it, but with one key caveat:
“I’m hoping I can come back, and hopefully I can actually defend [Masters] week, as well. That would be a dream come true. Not many back-to-back champions, and that would be very unique to be able to put my name to that list.”
Rahm has, since defecting, said many times that he envisions a unified golf tour. He wants the world's best players to be able to play against each other again.
The merger's role in the future is still unclear.
Jon Rahm misses Players Championship but praises Scottie Scheffler
Jon Rahm saw the Players Championship as a fan, not as a player. He got to enjoy a praise-worthy performance by Scottie Scheffler, who defended his crown - becoming the first player ever to do so.
Rahm said it was great for TV viewing, but added that he missed the tournament. He also expressed hope that his last start (a withdrawal with illness) wasn't the last one he ever got (via Golf.com):
“There are some tournaments I’m going to miss. I hope I get to tee it up at the Players again. It would be a little bit of a sour taste if my last-ever start at the Players was WD because I was sick. It would definitely be a weird feeling if I never got to do it again."
He gave a big shoutout to Scheffler, saying it was impressive that he's the only one of a lengthy list of great golfers to ever win twice in a row.