Jon Rahm told by golf icon: "You can't tell me that hasn't affected you in some way"

Sir Nick Faldo says he believes high-profile LIV Golf recruits such as Jon Rahm need to be in the 'same arena all the time' if they are to win more majors. 

Rahm was one of 12 LIV Golf players that teed it up in the first men's major of the year at Augusta National. 

The Spaniard battled hard to make the cut but ultimately finished in a tie for 14th at the 2025 Masters. 

Bryson DeChambeau led the charge for the breakaway tour and briefly held the lead in the final round. 

But the 31-year-old American had to settle for a share of fifth after his challenge for the green jacket came undone when he found the water at the 11th. 

Former champs Patrick Reed and Bubba Watson also played well in Georgia. As did England's Tyrrell Hatton. 

But Faldo believes LIV Golf's 'fail-free' format has finally caught up to some that defected from the PGA Tour. 

"If Max Verstappen only drove in a Formula One race four times a year, I'd be shocked if he could perform," Faldo told The Times of London. 

"You've got to be in the same arena all the time."

He added: "They have a fail-free tour. They've got wonderful appearance fees and prize money galore and they're guaranteed it next week whether they hit their hat or not. 

"There's no fear of failure, and that is a serious driving force. Cam Smith has gone quiet. Brooks has gone quiet. 

"You can't tell me that in some way it hasn't affected them."

Faldo - who also hit back at the claim he's not a fan of DeChambeau - has always been critical of LIV. 

But he doesn't believe the there needs to be a resolution between the PGA Tour and LIV's backers anymore. 

"I think they thought it was all going to be resolved and they could run off and, even if they had to pay half of it back in a fine, they'd make a huge amount of money. 

"But I don't think [the PGA Tour-LIV divide] needs to be resolved. They've gone off to play their tour. Fine. 

"They've done incredibly well [financially] and, if your priority is a boatload of cash, you got it. 

"But if you would rather have an incredible career, I think they've hurt themselves."