Jon Rahm pelted by golf fans over latest 'more effort' claim: "This is poetic"

Jon Rahm says the established tours 'could have made a bigger effort' to bring golf to Australia. 

The Spaniard made the claim in an interview with Australian Golf Digest ahead of the breakaway's event in Adelaide. 

Rahm will be teeing it up for the first time after a frustrating performance at the 2024 Masters. 

The 29-year-old made the cut by the skin of his teeth but wasn't a factor as the defending champion. 

His comments off the course at the first major of the year drew more attention than his play. 

First he revealed some PGA Tour stars blanked him at Augusta National.

Whilst he was also criticised by some golf fans for sounding off on the tournament organisers. 

Rahm said he 'wasn't sure why we were out there' as winds in Georgia began to gust at 30-35mph in round two. 

The golfer also criticised other players in the field for their pace of play.  

Rahm will no doubt draw more attention for his latest thoughts on bringing golf Down Under. 

As far as Rahm is concerned, he believes the PGA Tour and DP World Tour could have tried harder. 

There is little doubt LIV Golf Adelaide was one of the breakaway's most-popular events in 2023.

Asked if Australia had been neglected by the world tours, Rahm told AGD:

"It’s easy to say yes but you also have to understand, Australia isn’t the easiest country to get to. 

"But I think there could have been a bigger effort made. 

"I do remember growing up watching the Australian Open, Australian Masters and Australian PGA and those three events being big events that attracted the best players. 

"When I turned pro, it just wasn’t part of what players did. I’m fully aware Jack Nicklaus has won six Australian Opens and Gary Player has won seven. 

"It’s something that’s engraved in history and I’m glad I’m now going to be part of playing golf in Australia."

A number of golf fans on X were quick to react to Rahm's latest thoughts.

It was pointed out that Rahm has never made the choice to tee it up in the events he referenced. 

He last played in Australia at the 2016 World Cup years before he became a household name. 

One X user wrote: "Yeah he loves the Australian Open so much... how many has he played in?"

Another said: "This has me laughing hard. It only took billions of someone else's dollars and players are contractually obligated to come."

This person twisted the knife: "This is poetic. How many times has Rahm played in Australia?"

Rahm is yet to win on LIV but finds himself second in the 2024 standings after five events played. 

LIV Golf Adelaide will be played over 26-28 April at The Grange Golf Club. 

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