Jon Rahm snaps back at LIV Golf critics

Jon Rahm is back in major championship contention.

The Spaniard, after a four-under-par 67 at Quail Hollow on moving day, sits two shots off the clubhouse lead at the PGA Championship, held by Alex Noren.

In fact, it was his best round in one of the game’s ‘big four’ since the third round of the 2023 Open Championship. And he’s understandably pleased.

“I mean, hard to express how hungry I may be for a major, about as hungry as anybody can be in this situation,” he said.

“Very happy to be in position again. Very happy with the state of my game. I think today was the round that I knew I was capable of.

“So just very excited again to be in this position and looking forward to hopefully having a good Sunday tomorrow.”

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Rahm, 30, was widely criticised for his move to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league, and then for his resulting performances in majors.

But he’s adamant that chasing the lead this week has proved that was an ill-informed suggestion.

“Me going to LIV and playing worse in majors had nothing to do with where I was playing golf,” Rahm said. “My swing was simply not at the level it had to be for me to compete.

“It’s easier to post a score on non-major championship courses and venues, and I think when you get to the biggest stages like this one and these courses, those flaws are going to get exposed, and it did.

“There’s been weeks where I was able to play better, like The Open last year. The Masters obviously wasn’t a good start, but it got better as the week went on, and I’m still working and trying to get my swing to a better spot.

“But I would say even 2023, after winning the Masters, I did not play good at all until the Ryder Cup, right.

“So, I think the problems began earlier than people think. But I’m now getting closer to a position of being comfortable. I think this week so far and this round has been a show of it.”

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The two-time major champion admitted himself ahead of this year’s Masters that his game was not up to scratch on the big stage last year.

Now, as he tries to become the next player to move one step closer to the career grand slam, he’ll go into Sunday’s final round like he would any other event.

“I don’t think my process will change, my routine will change at all,” he added. “I will do exactly the same thing here for an event here, for a regular LIV event, for a regular PGA Tour event, DP World Tour event. The process, the routine doesn’t change.

“The main difference is the stage. We are all aware what we’re here for and what’s at the end and what’s at stake. That’s the main difference.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.