Jon Rahm has faced a lot of criticism since joining LIV Golf – but this one will sting the most

Jon Rahm has faced criticism from Jose Maria Olazabal for joining LIV Golf.

Jose Maria Olazabal is concerned about Jon Rahm’s competitive edge after the Spaniard joined LIV Golf in a reported $450 million deal last year.

Along with Seve Ballesteros and Sergio Garcia, Jon Rahm lists Jose Maria Olazabal as one of his golfing idols growing up in the Basque Country.

Before his defection to the Saudi-funded league, the former World No.1 spoke fondly of being a student of the history of the game and his ambitions to write his own chapters moving forwards.

It was all going so well, too. He was already his country’s first US Open champion when, like his trio of compatriots before him, Rahm claimed his first and Spain’s sixth Green Jacket. Only the United States has produced more Masters victors and victories.

But it didn’t go to plan last time out. Having finished in the top 10 in five of his seven Masters appearances before joining LIV – including that win in 2023 – Rahm’s title defense saw him struggle to a tie for 45th.

And that’s what worries Olazabal about Rahm’s decision.

“I respect that you go with those conditions, with the huge amount of millions that they put on the table for you,” Olazabal told Spanish newspaper El Pais.

“But I was surprised because Jon had been very clear in his words and because he had an extraordinary future and the opportunity to make history in this sport, to write golden pages of golf.

“I don’t know if he’ll be able to do it now. I don’t know if playing LIV is the best preparation to be able to stand out in the [majors]. From my point of view it’s not the best option.

“Above all, it can hurt him in terms of competitiveness.”

• How Rory McIlroy’s US Open win changed the course of one major champ’s career

• Charley Hull weighs in on LPGA’s strict new slow play policy

As well as that Augusta struggle last year, Rahm also missed the cut at the PGA Championship and withdrew from the US Open with a foot injury before clawing some respectability out of his major season with a tie for 7th at Royal Troon.

This was all despite winning LIV Golf’s season-long individual standings in his rookie year.

“I don’t question Jon’s self-esteem, work and attitude at any time,” Olazabal, who won his Masters titles in 1994 and 1999, said. “When he gets to the Masters this year he’s going to give it his all and he’s going to prepare himself in the best way.

“But the rest of the season, playing 12 or 14 tournaments without a cut, with 54 players? It’s not the same as playing against 150 and knowing that you can go home [with nothing].”

“Call me traditional but I don’t like the format,” Olazabal said, before adding that he doesn’t like “the fact that they all come out at the same time”, or that tournaments “only last three days”, or “the music”.

Reflecting on the state of the game since LIV’s inauguration in 2022, Olazabal said he respects those who moved, because he will have also been tempted.

“It makes me sad that money has divided golf,” he explained. “It’s because of money, there’s no doubt about it. I’ve always respected the decision of those who have left.

“If you had put a check in front of me with a bunch of zeros on it, I might have done it too.

“But it’s a shame that money has destroyed in such a short time what had been built up over so many years.”

One suspects Rahm has 450 million reasons to be OK with his decision.