Jon Rahm opted to leave the PGA Tour join LIV Golf last December, and the Masters champion believes a victory on the Saudi-backed circuit would mean as much as his Tour wins.
Jon Rahm views winning on the LIV Golf circuit as significant as any of his 11 PGA Tour victories. The Spaniard is preparing to defend his Masters title at Augusta this week.
Rahm made headlines last December when he signed a lucrative deal worth a reported £450 million to join Greg Norman and others for the 2024 season. As the captain of Legion XIII, Rahm has performed exceptionally well on the Saudi-backed circuit and is currently in second place in the season-long standings, trailing only Joaquin Niemann.
However, Rahm has yet to secure a win at a LIV event, despite his impressive performance in Mexico earlier this year where he finished in a tie for third place.
Despite this, the talented European golfer has proven himself to be one of the best in his generation, achieving great success while competing on the PGA Tour. Although the LIV tournaments may not have the same historical significance as his previous wins, a victory in this breakaway league would hold equal importance for Rahm.
Rahm expressed his enthusiasm to the Guardian by stating, “Absolutely!” He emphasized the significance of winning any trophy, regardless of its perceived value. While acknowledging that the Spanish Open may not hold the same prestige as other tournaments like the Memorial or the US Open, Rahm emphasized that a victory is always meaningful.
As he prepares to defend his green jacket at the Masters this week, the two-time major champion looks forward to competing against top PGA Tour competitors such as Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy on the renowned Georgia course.
Before Rahm’s victory a year ago, many doubted the abilities of LIV’s members heading into the 2023 Masters. However, Brooks Koepka quickly dispelled those doubts when he came incredibly close to winning his first green jacket, only to be narrowly beaten by Rahm, who was still playing on the PGA Tour at the time.
Now, Rahm enters a major as a LIV golfer for the first time, but he believes his previous record speaks for itself. “I think we all know where we stand,” he said confidently. “We’re well aware of our positions in this game. The competition remains the same, and my mindset remains the same—I’m still going out there to win. I don’t feel the need to prove anything in that sense. However, I hope that my mindset itself can convey a strong message.”
Excitement is building up. You can’t wait for it. Returning as a champion feels unique, it’s an extraordinary week. However, the ultimate aim is to keep in mind that you are there to defend your title. I will savor every advantage of being a champion while staying focused on my goal.
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