When Jon Rahm confirmed his move to LIV Golf, he trotted out all of the usual lines about why he opted to join the breakaway Saudi-backed tour.
He talked about their revolutionary team-based format and how intrigued he was about the changes they were making to sport of golf. Most of all, he was excited about the chance to 'grow the game'.
That line is one that every LIV Golf player trots about after joining the competition and it's fair to say that it rings rather hollow. The general public has absolutely no interest in the new tour and it seems to have little chance of increasing the popularity of the sport moving forward.
Of course, there is rarely a mention of the monetary rewards on offer when you become a LIV player.
It would make you question why the likes of Jon Rahm are not more open about the motives behind their decision, although you get the sense that they are merely toeing the party line in this regard.
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Shane Lowry discusses Jon Rahm LIV Golf claims
Shane Lowry has spoken regularly about LIV Golf in the past, and considering he has a decent relationship with Jon Rahm it was always going to be interesting to hear his thoughts on the move. He said it did not come as a surprise, although it did reinforce his belief that players need to look out for their own interests moving forward.
When asked at the launch of Amgen’s sponsorship of the Irish Open about the rhetoric shared by Rahm after the move, he said the Spaniard probably did not have much say on the matter despite the fact that it may rub people up the wrong way. He also said he expects to see Rahm play in the next Ryder Cup regardless of whether the partnership between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund comes together or not.
Pictured is Amgen golf ambassador Shane Lowry at a launch event for the 2024 Amgen Irish Open. Amgen announced it will serve as the title sponsor of the Irish Open starting in 2024.
I think with Jon, the growing the game stuff and that, that’s obviously what they have to say. They have signed on the dotted line.
They have been told by the communications team ‘this is what you say when you’re asked’ and you have no other choice really because they own you now. I think that’s where that comes from.
I don’t think, it is in a funny place isn’t it, but I do think it will come together soon. But I don’t know when.
I don’t know if it has been damaging but, yes, people spend their hard earned money going out to join a golf club and to buy golf clubs and it is tough for them to listen to a guy who is already worth whatever say he has to do this for his wife and family...
The reason they weren’t on the Ryder Cup this year is because they resigned their membership (of the DP World Tour). Like, Thomas Pieters would have been able to make the team if he’d played good enough...
I’m sure Rambo would play good enough to make the team so if he just, if he doesn't resign his membership, he can still make the team.
Golfers who are already incredibly rich speaking about securing their family's future by moving to LIV Golf is certainly something that has rubbed people up the wrong way.
Of course, for the Jon Rahm and others, that is the trade off they make when they decide to take the money on offer.
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Pictured is Amgen golf ambassador Shane Lowry at a launch event for the 2024 Amgen Irish Open. Amgen announced it will serve as the title sponsor of the Irish Open starting in 2024, following the acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics plc in October 2023.
Amgen will also become a partner to the KPMG Women’s Irish Open. The 2024 Amgen Irish Open, part of the DP World Tour, will take place at the Royal County Down Golf Club in Northern Ireland from Sept. 11-15, 2024.
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