It means a lot to have Rory at my back
Mate’s Ryder Cup backing left rebel Rahm feeling emotional
Jon Rahm admits having the backing of Ryder Cup pal Rory McIlroy after his defection to LIV Golf left him feeling emotional.
Masters champion Rahm is the biggest name to join the Saudibacked breakaway league after a stunning £ 450million deal.
Northern Irish ace McIlroy has been a vocal critic of LIV but insisted the Ryder Cup qualification rules have to be re-written to ensure Rahm can play at Bethpage in 2025.
The Spaniard and McIlroy were Europe’s key men in Rome this year when they wrestled the trophy back from the Americans.
So it meant a lot to Rahm when McIlroy refused to turn on him when news of his seismic move emerged on Friday.
“Right now, to hear Rory say that actual l y makes me a l it t le emotional,” Rahm told the Pat McAfee Show.
“I respect the man so much. He has done a lot for the game of golf and accomplished a lot as well.
“For him to have my back right away from day one is important. It is important for this process to change faster than later.
“The earlier we can get a way back for people like me to maybe qualify for that team the easier it will be for us to compete and try and not have to be a pick.”
McIlroy’s comments come after not one LIV Golf player was involved in Europe’s Ryder Cup win in October. The likes of Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood were all absent at Marco Simone after being forced to resign their DP World Tour memberships.
Rahm played an instrumental role in Europe’s dominant victory over the US and if his LIV move was to cost him a spot in 2025 it would be a huge loss for skipper Luke Donald.
Major winners Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen will go head to head in the final round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship after opening up a commanding five-shot lead in South Africa.
The home duo dominated at Leopard Creek Country Club, with 2010 Open champion Oosthuizen matching the course record with a 63 only to see 2011 Masters winner Schwartzel join him at 15 under after shooting a 65.
Englishman Andy Sullivan and another home favourite in Christiaan Bezuidenhout are the nearest challengers but they will have to be at their very best to prevent a two-horse race between the two LIV Golf team-mates.
Schwartzel said: “We’ve been friends for a long time and we’ve played this game for a long time. I don’t think we’ll treat it any other way than just trying our best.”
Oosthuizen added: “It’s the one event I’ve really wanted on my CV.”