Jon Rahm expecting ‘tense’ Masters winners dinner amid LIV Golf conflict

• Jon Rahm expects more PGA Tour players to leave for LIV Golf in 2023.
• Rahm spoke ahead of Thursday’s PGA Tournament of Champions.
• Spain’s Jon Rahm is hoping Europe can win the Ryder Cup in Italy.

Fifth-ranked Spain In addition to anticipating a heated champions dinner at the Masters, Jon Rahm stated on Tuesday that he anticipated more PGA Tour players quitting in 2023 to join Saudi-backed LIV Golf.

Rahm gave a speech prior to the start of the Tour Championship qualification tournament, the PGA Tournament of Champions, on Thursday at Kapalua, Hawaii.

Rahm, the 2021 US Open champion, projected that despite increased prize money at some events, more golfers will quit the PGA for the bigger prize money offered by LIV Golf.

“I think we all know where we stand,” Rahm said. “There are still going to be players that choose to transition to LIV is my guess.

“But for a lot of us, I think we see the direction the PGA Tour is going toward. They re making the necessary changes to adapt to the new age and I think it s better for everybody.”

To prevent great talent from leaving, as did Australian British Open champion Cam Smith, the PGA has increased prize money at a select few events.

“It s an exciting year. We re all curious about how it s going to work out,” Rahm said. “We re all excited to see how it s going to unfold.”

The Masters confirmed last month that the qualification standards for the 2023 Masters would not alter, ensuring that players from LIV Golf may participate.

This includes a number of recent green jacket winners, like as three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson, American teammates Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson, and Bubba Watson, as well as Sergio Garcia of Spain and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa.

They will be sharing a meal with Tiger Woods, among other PGA supporters.

While not specifically naming LIV Golf, Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley made it plain that the separation is an undesirable trend.

“Regrettably, recent actions have divided men s professional golf by diminishing the virtues of the game and the meaningful legacies of those who built it,” Ridley said.

Rahm expressed his want to observe the Masters champions supper in April at Augusta National rather than the exquisite food that previous champions will eat.

Rahm remarked, “I think the Masters Champions Dinner is going to be a bit tense compared to how it has been in the past, which is probably only hilarious to me.

“I therefore find myself thinking about it constantly because I wish I could simply be present and observe how things develop. It’s a shame that there isn’t one at the US Open.”

Golfers will have to handle any personal concerns at the majors, according to Rahm.

Rahm stated, “I didn’t notice a change in any of the majors last year. “Simply put, if someone has a problem with LIV players, they won’t interact with them.

“I accept their decision, and I’ll continue to be friends with the people I knew previously. It makes no difference to how I’ll deal with them.”

Players should keep their distance from one another, according to Rahm, but this may be more challenging depending on how the Masters pairings are set up.

If there is any hostility, Rahm believes that it may have been stoked more by the media than anything else. “At least in person, I don’t think there’s too much of an issue between players.”

Rahm hopes that the DP World Tour and PGA of America will align for the Ryder Cup in order for Europe to reclaim the trophy in Rome.

“Some people that are going to have to make some tough choices,” Rahm said. “My guess is I hope the PGA of America and European Tour make a decision together. I don t think it would be smart to have one team allowing LIV players and one not.”

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