Jon Rahm has faced the music this Thursday night after the announcement of his signing for LIV Golf. He sat down via video conference in front of just over twenty journalists from around the world, including TenGolf, and allowed all questions, without restrictions, without a bad face, without twisting his gesture at any time, and some questions were delicate. His decision has been very controversial and has raised criticism and dust. There are many who think he has been inconsistent with his way of thinking, with the legacy he was building. It’s time to hear his version…
“I know there are people who are not going to like it and who are not going to understand it. Any abrupt change like this generates different emotions, but my essence does not change. My goal is still to win all the Majors I can. Now, instead of chasing records, I’m going to try to create a story from scratch so that others in the future try to surpass it. I am very motivated to create this new story. Hopefully in the future there will be children who want to beat records that I will be leaving”, Rahm explained.
The golfer from Barrika has been serene, aware that the change is important and that many may think he is making a mistake, but he is clear that he has made the best possible decision for him, his family and his future. “There will be criticism, I know and I will have to deal with it. Money is one of the reasons why I have made this decision, I will not deny that it is an important one, but not the most important. I think the Spanish fans are going to understand my main motivation to go to LIV. It’s about the team, it’s something different, very special, being part of a team and creating a fan base. I am from Athletic and it is more than football, it is a religion. I would love to be able to create that fan base, it would be incredible, it excites me and it excites me to think about it. Golf is an individual sport, but I am sure that victories are enjoyed more as a team”, he pointed out.
Similarly, Jon has explained that other reasons why he has made this decision is because “I have seen LIV grow in these last two years, it is a different way of seeing golf, there is innovation, business, I really like the opportunity to be the captain and owner of a team. It caught my attention. It excites me and motivates me, besides playing in parts of the world where I had not been until now. I think it is the best for me, my family and the circle of people who support me. I am very comfortable with my decision”.
Rahm did not want to reveal when the negotiations began or when he made the final decision. He has said that the circle that knew about it was very small. “Even my parents I told them later… We didn’t want information to come out”. As for the team, he has not yet decided on the name, although he has made references to some that have circulated on the networks like the bulls, the lions… “I find the names I am seeing funny, but there is no decision yet. I like that it mixes the Spanish and those things. We’ll see”. At the same time, he did not want to reveal who his teammates will be or which players are being negotiated. “That will be seen in the future”, he explained.
On the other side of the balance, in the things that have made him doubt the most to make this decision, Jon has no doubt: “the danger of being able to miss the Ryder Cup. I hope that does not happen. Hopefully I can play in two years. I will do everything on my part so that it is. I don’t want to miss the Ryder Cup”, he pointed out. The Olympic Games are also in danger. “I hope I can play them, get there on time in July and qualify, and if not, I hope that in the future I can play”.
Rahm has made it clear that he has not made this decision hoping that the agreement between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf can be accelerated. “I would like the negotiations to come to a good end and above all that the best for golf comes out of this, but it would be very presumptuous on my part to think that the fact of going to LIV is going to advance the negotiations”, he concluded.
