Jon Rahm told by Xander Schauffele: "You think a bit highly of yourself"
Major champion Xander Schauffele has suggested Jon Rahm over-estimated his influence when the Spaniard left the PGA Tour for the LIV Golf League.
Xander Schauffele is back in action having taken a well-earned break after capturing his maiden major championship.
And it's fair to say the 30-year-old American is not mincing his words when asked for his opinion on a range of subjects.
Schauffele obliterated PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan in an explosive interview with The Times of London ahead of the Memorial Tournament.
The PGA Championship winner tore into Monahan for not facing the music over the past two years and relying on high-profile players to lead the charge against their noisy LIV Golf rival.
Now Schauffele has put Rahm in his crosshairs, suggesting the Spaniard overestimated his possible influence in the outcome of golf's 'civil war'.
There is no denying Rahm's decision to join LIV for a reported £450m ($566.4m) was made easier given he had won the 2023 Masters.
And he also joined the breakaway six months after the PGA Tour entered into a 'framework agreement' with LIV's Saudi backers.
Rahm thought his decision would've expedited negotiations and even said as much before he attempted to defend the green jacket.
He has since spoken of his regret at not being able to play in certain PGA Tour events and still considers himself a member.
As far as Schauffele is concerned, there is only one such golfer who could have such an impact.
"I can think of one guy who would really move the needle, that's still playing," Schauffele said.
"He only plays like four times a year or five times a year, but that guy really moves the needle, in my opinion.
"But for guys that think that an individual will make this whole thing go faster, it's probably thinking a bit high(ly) of yourself, to be completely honest."
Schauffele said he believes there are 'a lot of things that need to occur that people don't realise' before everyone can shake hands and move on.
"There's been so much damage that's been done just in, you know, it feels like we've been in this mess for a couple years, it's only been a year," he said. "It feels like it's been forever.
"It's going to run its course and everyone needs to get on the same page at some point, and that may take a while.
Schauffele also made his prediction for when that may happen.
Sadly for golf fans, that might take at least five years.
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