5 days ago
Superstar LIV Golf ace reveals unification stance after fresh PGA Tour chief talks
Past bond between the new CEO of PGA Tour and LIV supremo can help
Superstar Jon Rahm is taking a positive view on the relationship between LIV chief Scott O'Neil and new PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp in terms of golf's future unity.
But the Spanish star remains cautious as he admits final decisions are likely to involve more than just the two individuals.
Rolapp's announcement as successor to Jay Monihan on the PGA Tour is seen a positive step for the coming together and as he met with LIV boss O'Neil during their days together at Harvard Business School.
However, when asked if their connection could help smooth the pathway to unification, Rahm gave a thoughtful response as he said: 'I feel like that's a question for obviously both the CEOs, right.
"Whatever I say is speculation. It's not what they know. I would hope that them having a close relationship from the past should help facilitate at least the dialogue between them two, but, at the end of the day, it's not just up to them.
"There's also people behind them and higher up than them that would ultimately make the decision. Things are never as simple as they seem. But I would like to be positive about it and think that that would help it out.'
Rahm's focus is the course as he prepares for the LIV Dallas event and continues the build towards the Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
The Ryder Cup star has enjoyed past success in Irish Opens and is looking forward to the challenge of another Claret Jug chase.
Rahm said: 'I like Royal Portrush. Last Open there I did well. I played a British Am there and had nothing but a good experience.
"It's a bit of a unique links because you don't usually have elevation changes in links golf, and it's not that it's massive, but that first hole you have anywhere between a wedge to a seven-iron with a massive upslope and massive crosswinds. That's not something you usually see.
'The fifth hole is severely downhill, even the seventh is not something you usually see. And then 16, 17, 18, with having to go over cliffs and falloffs and elevation changes, it's not something you usually get to practice in links golf.
"Usually it's perfectly flat, and there's other elements to worry about. So that's what makes Portrush to me a little bit more special.
'It's a fantastic golf course where, like every other major, you have to do everything well. I've been lucky enough to play in Ireland and Northern Ireland, so I'm hoping that can carry on over into a major championship, as well.'
Rahm gave another strong Major showing at the recent US Open and added: 'I mean, it was nothing but a good week. Extremely difficult golf course. Extremely penalising anytime you make a mistake. Finishing top 10 is always going to be a good week. Very happy to shoot under par twice. It's just too bad Friday cost me a little bit too much.
'As far as the week goes or the ending, I would say score doesn't always reflect the truth. I played Sunday with barely any pressure, so I could afford to take some risks and posted a score and never had to deal with the nerves or intensity that Tyrrell [Hatton] had.
"So playing that golf course under those circumstances is much different than if you go five hours before. I would say it's not comparable.
'He played fantastic golf, and honestly, it was pretty apparent to me I wasn't going to win it. There was too many good players and somebody was going to post a lower score.
"But it's one of those things you have to stick around just in case and also I was staying around hoping Tyrrell would win it.
'It is unfortunate such a good week for him came down to arguably one of the unluckiest breaks I've seen in golf.
"For his drive on 17 to land on such a severe downslope in the rough and not even move two feet forward in the bunker, it's a big difference.
'There's no guarantee anytime of winning, but if that ball would have been in the bunker, there definitely would have been a much better chance of giving it a go. Happy for him. Happy he played great. I think if he's playing this good in majors, it's just a matter of time of one coming. Hoping that happens.'
