Jon Rahm COMES OUT SWINGING for LIV Golf as he defends Phil Mickelson
Jon Rahm says PGA Tour members should be "thankful" for the emergence of LIV Golf as he defended his friend Phil Mickelson.
Jon Rahm came out swinging in defence of LIV Golf before Tiger Woods' Hero World Challenge, suggesting the players should be "thankful" the controversial series happened as he defended Phil Mickelson.
When Rahm was asked about LIV Golf in February when the series was very much in its infancy, the Spaniard said it would be the one and only time he would be prepared to talk about it as he pledged his "fealty" to the PGA Tour.
Which is odd because since then he has had no issue sounding off on the subject when asked. On LIV Golf, on the aforementioned Mickelson, on the "laughable" Official World Ranking System that even 15-time major champ Woods believes is "flawed".
Related: Nine players who changed their mind about LIV Golf
Once again the 28-year-old former U.S. Open champion made it clear where he currently stands on the subject of LIV. In fairness to Rahm, while he has been linked with a move away, on the surface he seems very content with life on the PGA Tour.
He re-affirmed that commitment earlier this week when he announced he would be a participant in Woods' tech-fused golf league starting in 2024 - called TGL - which he is spearheading alongside Rory McIlroy in association with TMRW Sports.
Rahm was asked about Mickelson "shaking the tree" on Wednesday.
He told the media:
In response to a question about Mickelson's behaviour and comments over the past 12 months, he said:
Despite the clear division, Rahm doesn't necessarily believe it's been a bad year for the game.
Rahm echoed the sentiments expressed by Adam Scott who believes the PGA Tour and LIV Golf should go down their separate paths.
There is no need for negativity, in Rahm's opinion.
He told the media:
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His comments come as reports emerged Woods and PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan hosted another emergency meeting with the elite players over how to proceed with LIV Golf.
McIlroy reportedly joined the meeting via Zoom.
As for Rahm, he is scheduled to play the first round of the Hero World Challenge in Albany alongside Xander Schauffele, who also has poured cold water on suggestions he would be jumping ship.
Here are the tee times for R1 of the Hero World Challenge:
All times ET
11 a.m. - Cameron Young, Tom Kim
11.11 a.m. - Billy Horschel, Sungjae Im
11:22 a.m. - Kevin Kisner, Sam Burns
11:33 a.m. - Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood
11:44 a.m. - Corey Conners, Shane Lowry
11:55 a.m. - Max Homa, Tony Finau
12:06 p.m. - Sepp Straka, Justin Thomas
12:17 p.m. - Xander Schauffele, Jon Rahm
12.28 p.m. - Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth
12.39 p.m. - Collin Morikawa, Viktor Hovland
Next page: Tiger pays tribute to "leader" Rory McIlroy
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