Jon Rahm has ambitious goals each year for the next season. A second major championship is on his top list.
Rahm may have one of his best chances at the Masters. He’s placed in the top 10 in four out of six appearances there, and Rahm can’t help but think about Augusta National as he contemplates the year ahead.
Rahm laughed at the joke during his press conference in advance of the 2023 Sentry Tournament of Champions. “So I keep thinking it because I wish that I could be there to just see how things turn out. It’s too bad that the U.S. Open doesn’t have one.
Rahm and other players are curious about how LIV Golf will impact the golfing landscape in 2019. Rahm believes there is more to the upstart circuit, which was founded by Greg Norman and supported by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. It took some of Tour’s most notable players and characters.
“Yeah, that’s what I meant. I think we all know where our position is. Rahm said that there will be players who choose to move to LIV. “But I think most of us see the direction that the PGA Tour will go in, right?” They’re adapting to the new age, and it’s better for everyone.
This week’s event is one example of such adaptations. The Tour’s first “elevated” events, which feature smaller fields and higher payouts, is the Sentry Tournament of Champions. The Kapalua field this week features 39 players competing for $15 million. The Tournament of Champions is normally reserved for previous year’s winners. However, this year’s TOC field includes players who have qualified for the Tour Championship.
“It’s a huge bonus to be able – precisely, to only beat 38 players in comparison to any other event. Rahm said that it was earned through an incredible year. It’s wonderful that they allow the Tour Championship winners to come along. They might change the tournament’s name since they haven’t won one. However, I don’t think it matters that much. It’s right for the best players to be here. Making it to East Lake should be a great accomplishment.
After a stellar 2022 season, which included wins at the Players Championship and Open Championship, Cameron Smith, the defending champion of LIV Golf will not be returning to defend his title. LIV players won’t meet with Tour players at majors, but Rahm believes it won’t be any different in the future, despite his joke about Champions Dinner.
“I believe it will be the same. I don’t think there was any difference last year in the majors. Rahm stated that if someone has a problem dealing with LIV players, they won’t deal with them. “I think, as I have said before, that I respect the choice of their friends and those I was friends before I will still be friends with them. This doesn’t affect the way I will operate with them.
“So, I believe a lot of animosity, let’s just say, between players, if any, might be more created by (the media than anything else.” I don’t believe there’s a huge problem between players. At least not in person. If there is, they can easily avoid one another.”
