Rahm ‘hard’ not to defend PGA titles
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm says he is comfortable with his jump to Saudi-backed LIV Golf but noted Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) it’s hard to miss so many PGA Tour events he enjoyed.
Preparing for the April 11 start of the Masters at Augusta National, the 29-year-old Spaniard talked about the consequences of his decision last December to leave the PGA Tour and watching on television as others won titles he took in 2023.
“For everybody who said this would be easy, some things have been, but not being able to defend some titles that mean a lot to me hasn’t,” Rahm said.
Rahm won last year’s PGA Tournament of Champions in Hawaii, the American Express at Palm Springs and the Genesis Invitational at Riviera before capturing the green jacket.
But he is banned from PGA Tour events after joining LIV, where he ranks second on the season points list after top-eight finishes in his first four events.
“I love Palm Springs. I’ve been able to win twice there. Riviera is about as charismatic of a golf course as we have. Not being there was difficult,” Rahm said.
“I still watch golf because I love watching it. But it’s hard. It was hard not to be at the Phoenix Open at the end of February and it was hard not to be [in] Hawaii.”
Rahm is looking forward to returning to Augusta National, where he will face a field of the world’s best from both rival tours.
“So far, it has been great. Been playing good golf,” Rahm said. “But I’m definitely looking forward to joining with the rest of the best golfers in the world and teeing it up at the Masters with them.”
Rahm’s only repeat crown came at the 2019 Spanish Open.
“This could be my second ever title defense. That would be quite incredible,” he said.
As pained as he was to miss his chances earlier this season, Rahm said he will let those memories fade.
“I don’t know if I would have and will be thinking about those tournaments I haven’t defended.”
Only Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Nick Faldo have won back-to-back Masters titles.