"I’m not so sure about it": Jon Rahm is not a fan of mid-round interviews
Golf is teasing a new idea for tournaments, but world number three Jon Rahm isn't exactly a fan. They have considered doing mid-round interviews to add a new layer for the viewers at home.
Rahm isn't a big fan of the idea, as he revealed via Sports Illustrated:
“They’ve asked me to do the AirPod thing. I’m not so sure about it. I still haven’t decided, but I think I’m going to do it at some point. Obviously, if I don’t have to hit a shot with the headphone on then I’ll be O.K. with it. It’s not for everybody. I’m definitely not sure about doing it on the weekend. It’s an opportunity to do something unique, but if I’m in the lead on Sunday, I can guarantee you I won’t do it.”
He continued, saying it doesn't really occur much in other sports:
“I don’t see any other sport where mid-round or mid-game you have somebody talking to the booth. But you get it during basketball at half time when the coach says two or three things, you get it in football."
Coaches talk during the games, but not any of the athletes:
"But I don’t see anybody asking [Tom] Brady in the middle of a game to explain what happened, so I don’t know if I’ll do it or not. But again, it’s opportunities that are being presented, and I like the outside-the-box thinking. If you try enough new things, eventually you’ll come up with something cool to do.”
Golf has the unique advantage of doing something like this over other sports because there's no constant action. At several points during a day of golf, Rahm or others are not actively playing.
They may be walking or driving to the next hole or just waiting to take their swings. However, Rahm doesn't really want to be interrupted while he's on the course.
Patrick Cantlay agrees with Jon Rahm on mid-round interviews
Jon Rahm isn't the only player who isn't interested in doing interviews on the course. Patrick Cantlay said it would be a distraction for him, though it might not be for others:
“Probably not something for me, but I think it's great that those guys who want to do it are able to give those insights while they're out there playing.”
He added:
“For me I just feel like I’m so focused on what I’m doing when I’m out there that I don’t want or need any other distractions,” Cantlay said. “For some guys, that may be exactly what they want to do, but for me, I think I just want to focus on the golf while I'm out there.”
Ultimately, the likelihood of this occurring is pretty high. Golf needs viewers and this is an excellent way for them to keep the viewers engaged during a tournament.
It's unfortunate that Jon Rahm, Patrick Cantlay, and others don't like it, but as Rahm mentioned, players can always decline interviews.
There will probably be more than a few who are willing and happy to do the interviews.