Unfortunately the golfing world will never know for sure what would have happened with Jon Rahm’s career had he never left the PGA Tour in December 2023.
Rahm’s decision to join LIV Golf sent shockwaves throughout the game. It had the potential to be a decisive moment in the sport’s civil war.
It was particularly surprising because Rahm has had such a strong connection to the history of the game throughout his career. He certainly understands the significance when you come from Spain and have the potential to be one of the all-time greats.
Unfortunately, his move to LIV Golf has not had a positive impact on his legacy.
Jon Rahm has his best opportunity yet to win a major as a LIV Golf player
While Rahm has been dominant on LIV, he goes into Sunday’s final round at the PGA Championship still awaiting his first top five in a major since The Open Championship in 2023 – his final major before making the jump.
It would be a big victory for LIV if Rahm could win on Sunday at Aronimink. But it was interesting that Rahm was reluctant to say how important it would be for the league if he was triumphant after Saturday’s third round.
Instead, Rahm insisted that he is thinking of himself at this stage, with the 31-year-old two shots off the lead with 18 holes to play.
He did, however, remind everyone of why his move to LIV was so disappointing for those who have little time for the league.
Rahm’s connection to golfing history makes his LIV decision all the more agonising
Rahm spoke about how significant it would be if he could become the first Spanish player to win the PGA Championship. Between himself, Seve Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazabal, and Sergio García, they would have secured at least one victory at each of the four majors.
It evoked memories of the moment Rahm claimed that the money on offer from LIV would not change his life and therefore, be able to make him turn his back on making history. With that, he committed himself to staying on the PGA Tour at the time.
When he decided to make the jump, Rahm was arguably the best player in the world. A face-off with Scottie Scheffler on the Sunday at the 2023 Ryder Cup whetted the appetite for what was threatening to be one of the game’s great rivalries.
He took the gamble that he would be able to have his cake and eat it when he signed with LIV.
Should he win on Sunday, LIV’s supporters will argue that he has been vindicated.
But many will look at a Rahm victory at Aronimink as simply another reminder of why it was so heartbreaking that he decided to try a new path when he had the world at his feet.
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