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Reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm says he’s snug along with his bounce to LIV Golf however famous it’s exhausting to overlook so many PGA Tour occasions he loved.
Getting ready for the 11 April begin of The Masters at Augusta Nationwide, the 29-year-old Spaniard on Tuesday talked in regards to the penalties of his determination final December to go away the PGA Tour and watching on TV as others gained titles he took in 2023.
“For everyone who stated this might be simple, some issues have been, however not with the ability to defend some titles that imply loads to me hasn’t,” Rahm stated.
Rahm gained final yr’s PGA Match of Champions in Hawaii, the American Specific at Palm Springs and the Genesis Invitational at Riviera, earlier than capturing the Inexperienced Jacket.
However he’s banned from PGA Tour occasions after becoming a member of LIV, the place he ranks second on the season factors checklist after top-eight finishes in his first 4 occasions.
“I really like Palm Springs. I’ve been in a position to win twice there. Riviera is about as charismatic of a golf course as we’ve. Not being there was tough,” Rahm stated.
“I nonetheless watch golf as a result of I really like watching it. Nevertheless it’s exhausting. It was exhausting to not be on the Phoenix Open on the finish of February and it was exhausting to not be at Hawaii.”
Rahm is wanting ahead to returning to Augusta Nationwide, the place he’ll face a discipline of the world’s finest from each rival Excursions.
“Thus far, it has been nice. Been enjoying good golf,” Rahm stated. “However I’m positively wanting ahead to becoming a member of with the remainder of one of the best golfers on the earth and teeing it up at The Masters with them.”
Rahm’s solely repeat crown got here on the 2019 Spanish Open.
“This may very well be my second-ever title defence. That will be fairly unimaginable,” he stated.
As pained as he was to overlook his possibilities earlier this season, Rahm stated he’ll let these recollections fade.
“I don’t know if I might have and will likely be serious about these tournaments I haven’t defended.
“It’s carried out. It’s previous. It’s a choice I made and I’m snug with it. However I’m hoping I can come again and hopefully I can truly defend this one. That will be a dream come true.”
Solely Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Nick Faldo have gained back-to-back Masters titles.
Rahm loved watching top-ranked Scottie Scheffler win his second Gamers Championship in a row on Sunday, with some longing of his personal for an additional showdown at TPC Sawgrass.
“I hope I get to tee it up at The Gamers once more,” Rahm stated. “It will positively be a bizarre feeling if I by no means get to do it once more.”
Merger talks between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabia Public Funding Fund, LIV’s backers, continued Monday with a number of PGA gamers concerned, together with Woods.
Rahm hopes for a reunification so the world’s finest golfers can meet extra typically.
“I simply need to have the ability to see one of the best on the earth compete in opposition to one of the best on the earth, no matter that appears like,” he stated. “I feel there’s room for all of us.”
Rahm doesn’t anticipate tough confrontations between PGA and LIV gamers.
“Thus far I haven’t had any unhealthy experiences,” Rahm stated. “I’ve seen different PGA Tour professionals and I haven’t actually seen something unhealthy.
“I’m assuming there will likely be fairly a number of who usually are not pleased and possibly our dynamics has modified, however from my aspect, nothing adjustments. I nonetheless respect everyone on either side and respect the sport of golf above all.”
Rahm, who plans to go to Augusta Nationwide subsequent week for 2 observe rounds, stated he thinks LIV’s crew idea has a spot in golf’s future.
“I imagine there’s room for crew golf and particular person golf,” Rahm stated. “If there’s some sort of peace achieved, I feel it will possibly truly push the sport ahead.”
© Agence France-Presse
Picture: Doug DeFelice/LIV Golf
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