“Me going to LIV and playing worse in majors had nothing to do with where I was playing golf. My swing was simply not at the level it had to be for me to compete. It’s easier to post a score on non-major championship courses and venues, and I think when you get to the biggest stages like this one and these courses, those flaws are going to get exposed, and it did.” This is what Jon Rahm finally said in the post-round Press Conference of the 2025 PGA Championship after repeatedly being asked if his game has gotten worse since moving to the PIF-funded league. The 2-time major winner had an outstanding third round at Quail Hollow, and he is one of the potential threats to Scottie Scheffler‘s position at the top. But it took him nearly two years to get to a point where he can say this confidently.
Explaining his side of the story, Rahm added, “There’s been weeks where I was able to play better, like The Open last year. The Masters obviously wasn’t a good start, but it got better as the week was on, and I’m still working and trying to get my swing to a better spot. But I would say even 2023, after winning the Masters, I did not play good at all until the Ryder Cup, right? So I think the problems began earlier than people think.” Yes, the Spaniard hasn’t won a major since joining LIV. But he had come close to capturing the 2023 Open Championship, finishing at T2 behind Brian Harman. Jon’s performance cannot be overlooked, even if Brian did run away with the title.
Debating whether LIV Golf really played a role in Rahm’s deteriorating major form, Charlie Hulme read out the LIV Golf pro’s statement to his co-host, Smylie Kaufman, on the Smylie Show. Kaufman’s only doubt was if Rahm was good for all the Saudi-based league’s events he top-10’d, then why wouldn’t he play on tougher courses in the PGA Tour instead to give himself a better shot? “What if you were playing more difficult golf courses week in and week out? To where you would be able to go into start making those adjustments and learning on the fly,” he questioned, as a counterargument to the pro golfer’s statement.
Hulme also agreed with Kaufman, as playing in the PGA Tour would have given Rahm the opportunities to perform in competitive events on tougher courses regularly. That would have given him the edge he needed to keep up with his rivals like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. It will be challenging for the 31-year-old to improve his swing with less competition on LIV Golf and regular access to relatively easier courses. Although Kaufman did credit Rahm for his performance in Quail Hollow: “His swing definitely looks better. He looks more comfortable. He looks more confident.” By the end of the third round, the Spanish pro does look like he has found his major form back. While Scheffler dominated the day, Rahm did jump up to T5 after a strong round of his own.
Speaking about Rahm’s chances at Quail Hollow, the ex-PGA Tour player also added, “He is the one guy I have my eye on. Alex Noren is a very good player, and he’s closest to Scottie. But Jon Rahm has got to be the guy. 5 back… And he’s going to need help from Scottie.” Rahm ended the third round with 6-under par, which is 5 strokes away from Scheffler at the top of the table. However, the Spaniard is the only other recognized golfer in the top five who has won a major. So, placing a bet on the Legion XIII captain stealing the Wanamaker Trophy from the world no. 1 won’t be that bad of a decision. However, as Kaufman said, Scheffler will need to drop points at Quail Hollow for Rahm to have a chance to win.
Aug 17, 2024; Greenbrier, West Virginia, USA; Jon Rahm on the 5th hole at The Old White at the Greenbrier. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
This might sound like a criticism towards Jon Rahm and LIV Golf, but Hulme admitted that’s not the case. As a closing statement, he added, “I want to see Jon Rahm play good golf. It’s a much better ecosystem when he’s playing well,” which Kaufman agreed to. They clearly want Rahm to succeed in the majors more often. But it’s not just the two golf analysts who have spoken in favor of Rahm recently. One of his rivals in the 2025 PGA Championship also shared his hopes for the Spanish swing expert.
Scottie Scheffler eager for Jon Rahm to return to form
The first time Jon Rahm received the Green Jacket, it was Scottie Scheffler who helped him wear it. The Spaniard returned the favor in 2024 after the world no. 1 won at ANGC for the second time in his career. The two great golfers also had an intense battle for the top of the OWGR rankings when Rahm was still on the PGA Tour. Being the competitive golfer that he is, Scheffler enjoyed the dynamic he shared with Rahm.
Only a few days ago, the 3-consecutive-times POTY winner drew parallels between his rival from LIV Golf and his idol. Yes, Scheffler admitted that Rahm was much like Tiger Woods. He said, “You look at a guy like Jon Rahm, like I love the way he plays with passion over every shot. It’s very rare for him to lose focus, and you kind of see that in his face when he plays. He plays so competitively. Tiger was kind of the same way.” The LIV Golf pro is certainly determined and passionate about professional golf. But comparing him to Woods just shows how much respect Scheffler has for the Spaniard. There is no question that the 2-time Masters winner will be happy to see his rival find success in the majors again. But will Scottie Scheffler have the same opinion if it’s Jon Rahm who ends up defeating him at Quail Hollow? We highly doubt that.
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