Jon Rahm's hero reveals what 'bothers' him about LIV Golf move
Jon Rahm has been warned by Jose Maria Olazabal that 'actions have consequences' and he shouldn't be surprised if he misses next year's Ryder Cup.
Jose Maria Olazabal has revealed what 'bothers' him about Jon Rahm's move to LIV Golf.
Speaking on the Golf sin Etiquetas podcast, one of Rahm's heroes made it clear he still respects the reigning Masters champion and everyone who has joined the Saudi-backed breakaway.
But according to Olazabal, actions should have consequences and Rahm shouldn't be surprised if he finds himself not competing at next year's Ryder Cup in hostile territory.
Rahm became the rival league's highest-profile defection to date on 8 December 2023. His contract is estimated to be worth north of £450m.
The 29-year-old has not shied away in addressing the fact money was a huge factor in joining LIV despite repeatedly distancing himself from a move for the better part of two years.
"My heart is with the PGA Tour," Rahm previously declared, five months before making an appearance in a LIV letterman jacket on national television.
Olazabal told the podcast: "I respect everyone who has gone to LIV Golf.
"The other part that bothers me is that if you make a decision, it must have consequences.
"You can't expect to have the same rights as PGA Tour and DP World Tour players."
Rory McIlroy previously stated the Ryder Cup eligibility rules needed to be changed in light of Rahm's switch.
As things currently stand, Rahm is eligible to be selected given he hasn't resigned his DP World Tour membership.
But it remains to be seen how Rahm will be able to keep his card given his LIV obligations.
Olazabal continued: "As for changing the rules for Ryder Cup Europe… I don't know what to tell you.
"If you miss players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, you could be left naked for one of two Ryder Cups.
"And? What if you suddenly get three Ludvig Abergs, the Hojgaard [twins]? Turns out we might be able to compete."
Rahm has made no secret in how much he respects the careers of Olazabal and Seve Ballesteros.
He was asked what the late, great European icon would've made of his decision to join LIV in the immediate aftermath of joining the breakaway.
"I would like to think Seve would support me," Rahm previously explained.
"Given where he came from and how he started playing golf, I would like to think he would want the best for me and he was certainly an ambitious man as well, very charismatic, I wish I had a tenth of his charisma.
"I certainly think he would be supporting me in this endeavour to accomplish my goals."
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