DUBLIN, Ohio — Jon Rahm shrugged when hearing Phil Mickelson’s name, which is surprising. It’s not often that one of golf’s most polarizing figures elicits a ho-hum response.
Then again, Rahm understands LIV Golf member Mickelson well enough to know the deal, that Lefty downgrading the PGA Tour on social media is playing the part of company man.
“Listen, Phil is a friend of mine, but what else is he going to say? Right?” the 2020 Memorial Tournament winner responded. “He’s obviously going to advocate for his side, and that’s perfectly fine.”
At issue is Mickelson’s recent Twitter post about how playing fewer events on the LIV tour allows players to be fresher for the majors.
“Love LIV or hate it, it’s the best way/Tour to be your best in the majors,” he tweeted. “Enough events to keep you sharp, fresh and ready, yet not be worn down from too many tournaments or obligations. 14 LIV events, 34 weeks left open to prepare for the 4 majors. Fact.”
Mickelson’s post came after LIV player Brooks Koepka won the PGA Championship May 21 in Rochester, New York.
Rahm went on to set the record straight, at least as it applies to him.
“There’s many ways to prepare for a tournament,” he said. “I played 19 events last year … and don’t really feel any different about it. I have heard those comments about (LIV guys being more rested) and, well, if he believes it to be true, it’s good for him.
“I don’t know. It’s hard to say. There’s been so many different ways of tackling major tournament golf. Phil himself used to always play the week before. Tiger and Jack didn’t play the week before. So who says one way is better than the other?”
On the topic of the Ryder Cup, Rahm expressed dismay that fellow Spaniard and LIV member Sergio Garcia will not be part of Team Europe. The PGA of America has banned LIV golfers from competing in the match play event between the U.S. and Europe.
“I’m going to miss him. I’m going to mention history … a Spanish duo in the Ryder Cup is embedded into the roots of the Ryder Cup,” he said, mentioning the successful pairing of Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal. “So to me, it’s a little sad that politics have gotten in the way of such a beautiful event. It’s the best Europeans against the best Americans, period.
“Whatever is going on, who is playing LIV and who is not playing LIV, to me should not matter. And I have a hard time to believe that the best player…
..
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Golfweek…