José María Olazábal has given an insightful interview to El País during his visit to Madrid as the new advisor of the Real Federación Española de Golf. The two-time Masters Tournament champion and Príncipe de Asturias del Deporte award winner sat down with our colleague Juan Morenilla and talked about his new role in training young Spanish professionals, the difference between current and past golf, the format of LIV Golf, Jon Rahm‘s decision to switch from the PGA Tour to the Saudi league, and the legacy of Seve Ballesteros.
Olazábal does not question Jon Rahm’s decision from a personal standpoint, but he does have doubts about how it might affect him professionally, especially regarding his ability to compete in the Majors. He could say it louder, but not clearer. He takes a stand. His signing with LIV Golf surprised him. “I respect that you go with those conditions, with the huge amount of money they offer. I respect it, but it surprised me because Jon had been very clear in his words and because he had an extraordinary future and the opportunity to make history in this sport, to write golden pages of golf. And I don’t know if he will be able to do it now. I don’t know if playing LIV is the best preparation to excel in the majors. From my point of view, it is not the best option. Above all, it could affect his competitiveness. I never question Jon’s self-esteem, work, and attitude. When he arrives at the Masters this year, he will give it his all and prepare in the best way, but the rest of the season, playing 12 or 14 tournaments without a cut, with 54 players… it’s not the same as playing against 150 and knowing you could go home. It pains me terribly that Jon is not among the top 50 in the world [he is 54th]. He is a crack and should be with Scheffler fighting every week to win everything,” he explains.
“Jon had an extraordinary future and the opportunity to make history in this sport, to write golden pages of golf. And I don’t know if he will be able to do it now”
The Basque golfer, who will meet Rahm and Sergio García at the upcoming Masters Tournament, does not like the LIV Golf product. “Call me traditional, but I don’t like the format, I don’t like that they all start at once, in three days, without a cut, with all that paraphernalia around, the music… It saddens me that money has divided golf. It’s about the money, no doubt. I have always respected the decision of those who have left. If they put a cheque with a lot of zeros in front of me, I might have done it too. But it’s a shame that money has torn down in such a short time what had been built over so many years,” he remarks.
Asked about Seve Ballesteros and what he would have done if he had received an offer from LIV, Olazábal believes that the Cantabrian would have prioritised his desire to make history in the sport. “Seve was a defender of being able to play wherever one wanted, but history, leaving a mark, making an era was also very important to him. And I think LIV won’t give you that,” he states.
Regarding his new role in the Spanish Federation, Olazábal makes it clear that it has nothing to do with the technical aspect of the game, but rather with the mental aspect and competition. “Everyone has their coach. I want to convey respect for the game. Golf is a way of life. When you are playing, there is a struggle between the devil inside you and the positive person you want to be. We all go through it, even the best player in the world has had destructive thoughts. The guys must be aware that you are not the only one it happens to and that you have to live with it, talk to that devil and say: ‘Let’s make this journey together,'” he points out.
Here is the link if you want to read the full interview
