Jon Rahm torn to shreds by analyst ahead of The Open: "Maybe it's a coincidence..."

Jon Rahm is heading to The Open having performed 'miserably by his standards' in the majors since joining LIV Golf.

At least that is the verdict by Golf Channel's Eamon Lynch, who has questioned the Spaniard's form ahead of the final men's major of the year.

Rahm will head into Royal Troon having not been a factor at all in his defence of the green jacket at Augusta National. 

He followed that display at The Masters with a disastrous missed cut at the PGA Championship. 

And he was forced to pull out of the US Open at Pinehurst No.2. with a foot injury.

"To me the biggest story is Jon Rahm," Lynch said when discussing the storylines for what could happen in a few weeks' time. 

"I know he withdrew from Pinehurst with a foot injury earlier that week but he's been a competitive irrelevance in the major championships so far this year. 

"A guy who won The Masters and contended in two other major championships [last year] and was such a storyline every time we went to a major championship.

"The game just hasn't been there. Perhaps it's a coincidence that it's happened after he went to LIV Golf.

"You know, every one has slump years and maybe this is just his.

"But to me, a guy who finished tied second in The Open last year [and] going back there this year having performed pretty miserably by his standards in major championships, to me, is the storyline." 

It could be argued that other than former PGA Tour player Brandel Chamblee, Lynch is one of LIV's harshest critics. 

It was put to Lynch that if a peace deal between the North American circuit and LIV's Saudi financiers isn't ratified soon then the game suffers. 

If a LIV player wins The Open, will things only get worse? 

"I think we've reached a point where what happens inside the ropes is less impactful than what's happening outside the ropes," Lynch said. 

"We've seen LIV guys win majors with Koepka and DeChambeau.

"We've seen guys win majors and then go to LIV with Jon Rahm and Cam Smith. 

"It didn't seem to have any kind of seismic impact. I do think Jon Rahm thought is leaving would be a seismic impact and he's on record as saying that, and it wasn't.

He added: "What it's going to do is emphasise a dangerous reality for the PGA Tour which is that they are in danger of becoming tennis. 

"That there becomes four events a year where everyone shows up and I think that's a perception.

"I don't think it's quite the reality yet but it's the perception that's taking root and that they need to be wary of."

The 152nd Open will be played over 18-21 July. 

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