Jon Rahm Calls On LIV To Make ‘Helpful’ Format Change says ‘He Definitely Wouldn’t Mind Going Back To 72 Holes’ –
To promote unification in men’s golf, the current Masters champion proposed that augmenting the count of holes per week on PIF-supported circuit could be beneficial.
Jon Rahm believes that increasing the number of holes to 72 per tournament in the LIV Golf League could aid in promoting unity within men’s professional golf and has urged for such expansion.
Even before joining the PIF-backed circuit in late 2020, the reigning Masters champion made his disapproval of LIV’s abbreviated setup and absence of a cut known to all. According to him, it did not align with standard golf tournaments. However, he has since developed an affinity for this format but believes that progressing beyond just three rounds would be more preferable.
Rahm, fully cognizant of his influence as a top athlete in the sport, has appealed to LIV’s governing bodies to contemplate increasing hole counts with the aim of facilitating more frequent reunions among premier golfers.
In conversation with Iain Carter of BBC Sport, the individual aged 29 expressed that extending LIV to 72 holes could significantly aid in resolving these disputes.
It would be ideal if we could bring LIV Golf closer to other related endeavors. This would aid in unifying the sport and potentially contribute towards a world tour or something similar. I cannot say for sure whether others share this view, but personally, I wouldn’t object to returning to 72 holes.
Talor Gooch, the 2023 Individual Champion, stated that there were talks of a possible revision to LIV’s format and regulations during the period when Rahm was signed.
Gooch told Australian Golf Digest that a collective discussion involving all players has not yet been held regarding the implementation of 72 holes. However, there are supporters and opponents within their ranks. Gooch anticipates discussions to occur soon and is curious about the outcome of these conversations.
Although he initially resisted the idea of a shorter week, Rahm, who has won two Majors, now acknowledges its benefits. He argues that with such fierce competition on LIV golf courses, it can be easy to forget that fewer holes are being played.
Rahm persisted: “I understand everyone’s doubts about the level of competition. I can relate to it because I’ve also had my reservations and discussed them with more people than most would.”
Initially, it was a factor impeding my potential membership at LIV Golf. However, presently I can attest from firsthand experience that once the tournament commences, occasionally I am oblivious to having only completed 54 holes.
Ever since LIV’s emergence in 2022, Golf has experienced a division of sorts at Rahm’s caliber. The alternative and lucrative eco-system offered by LIV enticed several leading professionals to switch camp.
Since the publicized June 6 agreement, efforts have been made to address the fragmented state of men’s golf; however, Rahm and his team switching from the PGA Tour to LIV has further complicated these discussions.
Due to his reputation in the sport, the 29-year-old thinks that he may have played a role in influencing progress towards a more harmonious future for men’s professional golf during negotiation talks.
He expressed that he had the potential to initiate a tipping point. He comprehended the significance and impact of his decision, which made it arduous for him to make. His understanding was crystal clear with regard to this matter, hence why it was not effortless for him to decide.
The equilibrium of golf may be slightly disrupted. Fortunately, in my profession, notably during the previous year, I attained numerous achievements and garnered recognition as one of the prominent figures in this sport.
In terms of impact, there were only a handful of active players who could match what I achieved. While being modest about it, I was fully aware of the responsibility that came with my position on the field.
