Jon Rahm issues desperate plea to LIV Golf on eve of 2024 Masters
Jon Rahm has pleaded with the LIV Golf League to change to a 72-hole format on the eve of the 2024 Masters at Augusta National.
Jon Rahm has urged the LIV Golf League to switch to a 72-hole format on the eve of the Masters.
The golfer told BBC Sport he believes the change could ultimately pave the way for unity in the men's game.
Rahm heads into the 2024 Masters with the sport still very much divided.
Ten months ago the PGA Tour announced a framework agreement with LIV's financiers, the PIF of Saudi Arabia.
But that agreement is yet to be ratified and we are none the wiser what future is in store.
World number two Rory McIlroy warned last week the rift simply cannot continue, describing the schism as 'unsustainable'.
And Rahm is in agreement something must be done. And quickly.
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The 29-year-old was once critical of LIV's format, previously describing their events as 'not proper' golf tournaments.
But Rahm shocked the golf world last December when he signed a reported £450m ($566.4m) deal with the breakaway.
He is yet to register his first LIV victory but his form has been consistent as he has not finished outside the top-10.
And he believes he's not alone in wanting LIV to move to a traditional format.
"If there ever was a way where LIV could go to 72 holes I think it would help all of this argument a lot," he told the publication.
"The closer I think we can get LIV Golf to some other things the better. I think it would be for some kind of unification to feed into a world tour or something like that.
"I don't know if I'm alone in this, but I definitely wouldn't mind going back to 72 holes."
Rahm also revealed he wasn't happy with the announcement of the aforementioned 6 June PGA Tour-PIF deal.
The shock announcement came on the eve of the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club.
"I was not happy," he said.
He added: ""At the US Open trying to deal with something like that wasn't perfect timing.
"What we need to reflect on is the second that framework agreement was worked on, everything changed.
"And that's where the beginning of all this change happened. If it wasn't me (making the move) it would have been someone else at some point.
"If the PGA Tour is now open to working with the PIF or LIV or maybe coming together in some kind of way then that opened the door for me to do the same thing."
"I see everybody's scepticism"
Rahm said he knows there will be some who believes his Masters preparation will have been hindered since joining LIV.
This time last year Rahm had ticked off three wins on the PGA Tour.
He has also played 17 competitive rounds fewer this year compared to last. But he maintains that, if anything, he will be fresher.
"I see everybody's scepticism," he said. "I get it. I've been there, I voiced it to more people than most people would probably speak to.
"It was one of the things that was holding me back from possibly joining LIV Golf. But now, having been here, once you start the tournament I really sometimes have forgotten that I've only played 54 holes.
"Going back and knowing that you're a champion and that you have an idea of how to get things done and the confidence that you know you can get it done again is always an added bonus," he said.
"It'll be a little different being defending champion but I should have a little bit extra motivation too."
World number one Scottie Scheffler is the overwhelming favourite to clinch the 2024 Masters, followed by McIlroy.
One person who is hoping Rahm doesn't defend the green jacket is Sir Nick Faldo.
Faldo, 66, told GolfMagic that he isn't pulling against Rahm but he likes being only one of three golfers who have won back-to-back Masters titles.
That being said, Faldo didn't hold back on his opinion of Rahm.
"He has been playing resort courses in his shorts for the last couple of months and hasn't really been tested yet," he said.
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