Masters champion claims LIV move is ‘hurting’ Jon Rahm

Jose Maria Olazabal believes Jon Rahm has jeopardised an “extraordinary future” by joining LIV Golf.

Speaking to El Pais, the two-time Masters champion questioned whether the breakaway league’s format is ‘hurting’ Rahm’s preparation for major tournaments.

Rahm moved to LIV in December 2023, eight months after following in the footsteps of Olazabal, one of his idols, by winning a Green Jacket at Augusta National.

And despite winning the LIV’s order of merit in season one, Rahm struggled in the biggest tournaments – finishing tied 45th in his Masters defence and missing the cut at the PGA Championship.

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He missed the US Open through a foot injury, but found form with a T7 in the Open at Royal Troon.

“I respect that you go (to LIV) with those conditions, with the huge amount of millions that they put on the table for you,” Olazabal said in the interview, translated from his native Spanish.

“I respect that, but I was surprised because Jon had been very clear in his words and because he had an extraordinary future and the opportunity to make history in this sport, to write golden pages of golf. And I don’t know if he’ll be able to do it now.

“I don’t know if playing LIV is the best preparation to be able to stand out in the (majors). From my point of view it’s not the best option. Above all it can hurt him in terms of competitiveness.

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“I don’t question Jon’s self-esteem, work and attitude at any time. When he gets to the Masters this year he’s going to give it his all and he’s going to prepare himself in the best way, but the rest of the season, playing 12 or 14 tournaments without a cut, with 54 players… it’s not the same as playing against 150 and knowing that you can go home.”

Olazabal is certainly no fan of LIV, or the schism it has caused in the elite men’s professional game.

“Call me traditional but I don’t like the format,” he added. “I don’t like the fact that they all come out at the same time, in three days, without a break… the music.

“It makes me sad that money has divided golf. It’s because of money, there’s no doubt about it. I’ve always respected the decision of those who have left.

“If you had put a cheque in front of me with a bunch of zeros on it, I might have done it too. But it’s a shame that money has destroyed in such a short time what had been built up over so many years.”

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.