According to Jon Rahm, he will urge LIV to organize a links event in anticipation of upcoming Opens.
During the third round of the British Open at Troon, Jon Rahm executes a shot.
Jon Rahm, a two-time major winner, pondered on how he could improve his chances of winning an Open played on a links course after tying for seventh in last week’s British Open at Troon. Prior to arriving at the Midlands of England for LIV Golf’s U.K. tournament this week, he considered proposing to LIV management about holding a links event before future Opens.
On Tuesday at JCB Golf & Country Club, Rahm stated to Golf Digest, “I’m pushing for it and I would hope so. Adjusting to links golf involves various factors such as acclimatizing oneself with the greens as well as anticipating how the ball will behave on ground level. Although I didn’t consider this previously; however, after [Troon], it’s undeniable that playing a round of golf on a links course prior to Open greatly benefits.”
If the players of PGA Tour and DP World Tour opt to participate in Genesis Scottish Open before British Open, they are entitled to avail such chance.
Despite acknowledging that a links event won’t occur in 2025, Rahm, who is 29 years old, expressed interest in investigating the likelihood of integrating it into LIV’s near future.
He stated that it was evident LIV management has established agreements with certain venues and future plans. However, implementing changes is not a simple task of saying “let’s do this.” Nonetheless, he would like to discuss the matter with other players from LIV as collective agreement among five, six or ten significant players could carry more weight. He believes many individuals may share his viewpoint on the issue.
Preparation of LIV golfers for the U.K. major would certainly benefit from their participation in the Saudi Arabia-funded circuit’s event at Valderrama, Spain a week prior to Troon. Despite offering a unique challenge, many LIV players fared well with 11 out of the 18 who participated making the cut and three finishing within top 10 positions including Rahm along with John Catlin (T-16) and Dean Burmester (T-19).
Could the 54-hole league stage a tournament from 2026 or beyond, if LIV believes it’s possible? The Scottish Open is scheduled before the Open, which leaves only England and Wales as viable options since LIV Golf already holds an annual event there. Ireland seems to be more promising for LIV due to DP World Tour’s Irish Open not always taking place on links layouts. While this year’s championship will occur at Northern Ireland’s acclaimed Royal County Down in September, it has been four years that a similar competition was held on links terrain – all past ones went down lush green parkland resort courses like Galgorm Castle Mount Julietand The K Club.’
Rahm expressed his enthusiasm for a LIV event in Ireland, citing his previous victories at the Irish Open on links courses.
Rahm expressed his agreement with the suggestion that Ireland was the best option by saying, “You’re preaching to the choir; I love Ireland. It has always felt like home and I have had some of my most enjoyable rounds of golf there at great venues.” He further added that if LIV Golf got a chance to play in Ireland, it would be an amazing experience for him.
Desperately yearning to secure a victory in the Open Championship, Rahm’s motives extend beyond mere recognition. While obtaining his third major title and approaching the career grand slam with just one more PGA Championship win are undoubtedly enticing prospects, there exists a sentimental driving force behind his deep-seated aspiration.
He said that he desires to win the Open, and many Spanish individuals wish to witness his triumph because no Spaniard has accomplished it since Seve.
It’s been over three decades since a Spaniard has claimed victory at the Open, with Seve Ballesteros being the last to hoist his third claret jug at Royal Lytham in 1988. It may come as a surprise considering how talented some of our Spanish players have been throughout the years, such as Jose Maria Olazabal and Sergio Garcia who both have excelled on links golf courses outside of this major tournament. For instance, Ollie won on Portmarnock’s Dublin links course during that Irish Open back in 1990 while Sergio boasts two career runner-up finishes along with having secured victories like Boys Amateur Championship.
Rahm, who won the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in 2021 and last year’s Masters tournament, appears to be a strong contender for winning the claret jug. In 2019 he placed T-11 at Portrush, was four shots behind Collin Morikawa with a third place finish at Royal St George’s in 2021 but underperformed with a T-34 placement at St Andrews in 2022. Rahm ended up as runner-up to Brian Harman during his performance of T2 on Royal Liverpool course last year while finishing off strong by coming seventh overall on Troon just recently.
He expressed his fondness for links golf and the Open, stating that he eagerly anticipates improving his odds.
