Jon Rahm has revealed he got emotional to hear he has the unequivocal support of Rory McIlroy to continue playing in the Ryder Cup after joining LIV Golf.
Jon Rahm was thrilled to hear that the Northern Irishman had Rory McIlroy’s support to play in the Ryder Cup after making a dramatic turnaround in his attitude towards players from rival leagues taking part in the debate. he said. It is held every two years.
McIlroy, 34, made no secret of his disdain for those who decided to jeopardize their Ryder Cup future by switching to LIV.
Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell have spoken of their feelings of “betrayal” when they joined the Saudi-backed breakaway faction.
“It’s strange,” McIlroy previously told the Guardian about his former teammate. He said: “I think this is the first time in my life that I feels cheated in any way.
“It’s a rare feeling for me. Through the Ryder Cup and other activities, you build bonds with these people. Do they know it’s going to hinder them?”
McIlroy also questioned whether the Ryder Cup meant as much to the LIV players as it did to him.
He, especially McDowell, was surprised that he would be putting his Cup captaincy at risk, with the tournament to be held at Adare Manor, Ireland in 2027.
As many saw it, Poulter was likely to be captain in what promises to be a Cup for the ages in New York.
Luke Donald was then confirmed to lead Team Europe again.
Fast forward to December 2023 and Rahm is now a LIV player, with him reportedly penning a multi-year contract worth £450m.
McIlroy is now calling on those in charge to change the rules to allow the Spaniard to compete.
Accused of apparent hypocrisy, McIlroy went on a social media rant: “We didn’t NEED any of the others in Rome and we didn’t miss them. We’re definitely going to miss and need Jon at Bethpage,”
Rahm said on the Fairway to Heaven podcast: “I have the utmost respect for Rory McIlroy. “So to have his support right away is very special.”
“It’s almost emotional when I hear that.
The Ryder Cup means a lot to me and that’s one of the things that made this decision so difficult for me.
“I’ve always been hopeful that if I made the step, the DP World Tour would maybe adapt the eligibility so we could play it.
Rahm continued: “With that being put out, I definitely intend to keep my DP World Tour status and PGA Tour status and be a member if possible if allowed and play in more events.
“So, nothing regarded to that is going to change in my mind. I’m hoping sooner rather than later we hear some news about the Ryder Cup and we get a clear path of how we can make things work.
“I would love nothing more than to defend the Cup in Bethpage.”
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