LIV Golf champion disagrees with Jon Rahm over format demand
LIV Golf champion Talor Gooch is in favour of of the Saudi-backed series keeping its 54-hole, shotgun start format despite the wishes of mega-money signing Jon Rahm.
Rahm became the breakaway league's biggest signing last week, after being handed a reported £450 million contract to join the LIV setup. The Spaniard’s decision to make the move will have come as a shock to many, after Rahm had previously rubbished his chances of ever signing with Greg Norman and co.
On more than one occasion Rahm highlighted the breakaway league’s 54-hole circuit as a key reason as to why he would not trade his place on the PGA Tour to join the likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka.
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On the back of his move, a number of reports have suggested that Rahm will have some say in a potential change in the format moving forward. One man who is in favour in keeping things as they are though, is 2023 individual champion Gooch.
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“We haven’t had an open forum discussion with all the players, but you get both sides,” Gooch told Golf Digest in regard to a potential format change. “Guys who would welcome (changing to 72 holes) and some guys who are opposed to it.
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Talor Gooch has hit back at Jon Rahm's proposal (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)“Discussions will be had and it’ll be interesting to see what comes of it. I think LIV Golf was meant to be something different. I think it’s not supposed to be a carbon copy of the rest of professional golf. I lean towards keeping it at 54 holes.
“Part of it, too, from my experience on the PGA Tour, was Thursdays are just irrelevant from a fan perspective (except for) only a couple times a year.” Whilst Rahm’s lack of support for the format has been well documented, his new LIV counterpart believes the issue is not as big as first thought.
“[Rahm] has been vocal about some stuff he didn’t love,” he added. “But he wouldn’t have come to LIV if he thought he was going to win 10 tournaments a year and have no competition. He’s a true competitor. It’s beyond exciting [to have Rahm].”
The Spaniard himself has claimed he is willing to adapt ahead of his first campaign with LIV next year, admitting he will be able to ‘live with’ playing 54-hole golf in 2024. “The growth that I’ve seen and how it’s become a global business and can impact golf globally in a meaningful way is very enticing,” he said on the back of his move.
“For all those things I like about this movement, there are always going to be things that are not perfect. That’s something I can live with.” He did however reveal he is hoping to see changes introduced by the Saudi-backed league’s bosses later down the line.
Rahm went on: “It’s an ever-growing and ever-changing machine. I hope the leaders of LIV Golf might listen to my advice and see some changes in the future that are better for the future of the game.”
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