Jon Rahm faces a new edition of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth this week, one of the big tournaments on the DP World Tour calendar, but a significant part of his pre-tournament appearance once again revolved around LIV Golf. Specifically, the circuit’s transition to the so-called LIV 2.0 and to what extent the contract the Spaniard signed at the time conditions his future in the new scenario being designed
Rahm had already spoken about the matter last week in Ireland and, when asked if there had been any progress since then, he smiled. “I like that you all already see the humour in this. No, nothing has changed. The answer would be the same”, he said
The main issue lies in the distinction the player himself has been making between LIV 1.0, under which he signed his contract, and the future LIV 2.0. When he was asked what would have to change for him to decide to leave the circuit or whether the disappearance of the model under which he signed would be a red line, Rahm again asked for time
“There is a long legal process they have to go through before many things fall into place. Right now I can’t give an answer”, the man from Barrika said. And he added: “As I said, we are very close to expecting our fourth child. I hope to play well this week and, at the end of the year, whether we play in Abu Dhabi, Dubai or elsewhere, until this season finishes I won’t be able to give an answer”
A later reply proved even more significant. They asked Rahm directly whether his words assuring he will honour his contract with LIV 1.0 meant that he still had no commitment to LIV 2.0. Jon did not want to clarify or deny it. “I said what I said”, he simply replied
Rahm has not been particularly active in shaping the new phase of the circuit either. The Spaniard acknowledged that there are different levels of involvement among players and that he has preferred to stay on the sidelines. “I think some players have been more involved than others. I think some have wanted to be more involved than others”, he explained
His experience over the last few years, in which he has inevitably found himself at the centre of the division in professional golf, seems to have led him to a conclusion. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the last five or six years it’s that I don’t know if I’m cut out to be involved in the politics of this sport. I don’t think I’m suited to that kind of work”, he confessed
And he summed up with irony the role he prefers: “Luckily I’m good at hitting a golf ball and I think that’s what I should be doing”. Rahm confirmed he has not been heavily involved in conversations about the changes to come, although he did point out that Bryson DeChambeau has had a much more active role: “We all know that Bryson has been quite involved”
The transformation of LIV could also have much wider consequences for professional golf. Rahm believes the unfolding scenario could become an opportunity for the DP World Tour, although he understands that any analysis first depends on knowing exactly what the new project will consist of
“To be able to answer that I think we need to know exactly what shape LIV 2.0 will take. I think this is another opportunity for the DP World Tour to make some adjustments and gain strength. One hundred per cent”, he explained
The Spaniard sees the European circuit in an interesting position regarding the moves expected over the next few years. “I think the Tour is in a good moment and, with the changes coming in the future, mainly in 2028 on the PGA Tour, Guy and his team are going to have to change some things, but that always opens doors to strengthen certain areas”
For that reason, Rahm considers the period that now begins particularly important for the future of the European circuit. “I think this next year, a year and a half, could possibly be important to, hopefully, elevate the DP World Tour a bit more”
For now, however, Jon is not moving from his position regarding LIV. He wants to finish the season, wait for the pending processes to be resolved and find out exactly what LIV 2.0 consists of before speaking about his future. And when asked whether his current commitment also extends to that new phase, his answer remains as brief as deliberately open: “I said what I said”
