Latest news with #Rahm
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Jon Rahm picks Sergio Garcia for a role Tiger Woods turned down last year
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Tiger Woods accomplished just about everything in golf and served every imaginable role. From grand slam champion to mentor, international icon and board member, he's just about done it all. But one title he's consistently sidestepped is Ryder Cup captain. Despite competing in eight Ryder Cups and serving as a player-captain at the 2019 Presidents Cup, Woods officially declined the offer to lead Team USA at this year's Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. "With my new responsibilities to the Tour and time commitments involved, I felt like I would not be able to commit the time to Team USA and the players required as a captain," the 15-time major winner stated last year as quoted by the PGA Tour. That opened the door the PGA of America to choose Keegan Bradley as the man to captain Team USA at Bethpage Black for the 2025 Ryder Cup in late September. Now, with just 62 days until the Bethpage battle, attention is already shifting to the 2031 Ryder Cup, which was officially awarded to Camiral in Girona, Spain, last week. The captains for both sides remain undecided, but Spanish star Jon Rahm believes his countryman and longtime Woods rival, Sergio Garcia, would be the perfect choice to lead Team Europe in the homeland. KOHLER, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 25: Sergio Garcia of Spain and team Europe (L) and Jon Rahm of Spain and team Europe walk off the third green during Saturday Morning Foursome Matches of the 43rd Ryder... KOHLER, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 25: Sergio Garcia of Spain and team Europe (L) and Jon Rahm of Spain and team Europe walk off the third green during Saturday Morning Foursome Matches of the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on September 25, 2021 in Kohler, Wisconsin. (Photo by) More Getty Images Speaking Wednesday at LIV Golf UK, Rahm gave his full-throated endorsement for Garcia. "Knowing that some things smoothed over in the world of golf, that Sergio could possibly be the captain of the Ryder Cup team, that also adds to it," Rahm shared publicly at JCB Golf & Country Club in the Midlands of England. "I think there's something to say about possibly having, obviously, a local captain. I think it would do wonders for the crowd. If history shows us anything—and it's very hard to compare anybody to Seve—but I've only heard stories about what that Ryder Cup was like. I would say, if possible, I think that's a very obvious good choice to have Sergio be a part of that one." Garcia is currently the all-time Ryder Cup points leader, with 28.5 points across 10 appearances from 1999 to 2021. His record stands at 25-13-7, and he's been part of some of Europe's most iconic moments, including a 3-0 run with Rahm at Whistling Straits in 2021. Rahm, who will turn 36 by 2031, showcased his determination to battle for his team in his homeland. "(In 1997), I think ... that I can remember, four Spanish people that were involved in that Ryder Cup with Seve. Miguel (Angel Jimenez) was a vice captain, Ollie (Jose Maria Olazabal) playing and then Nacho Garrido playing, as well, so only four people can say they have done that," Rahm stated as quoted. "I don't know how many players can ever say they've played a Ryder Cup in their home countries. Not many, besides the U.S. team, obviously. But it would be unbelievable. I'm very happy that it's happening. I'm hoping that somehow or another I can be a part of it. There's certainly some pressure that comes with it, but it truly would be a dream come true." As for Woods, it wouldn't be surprising to see him wear the captain's hat for an upcoming Ryder Cup. However, he might be a more likely pick for Team USA at the 2027 Cup at Adare Manor. More Golf: Tiger Woods' Ex-Coach Calls Scottie Scheffler 'More of Jack' Nicklaus
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
LIV Golf superstar comes out swinging over Shane Lowry storm and claims players are stuck in no win situations
Jon Rahm reckons there has to be a rule change after Shane Lowry's two-shot storm at The Open, writes Craig Swan from Portrush. The Spanish star played alongside his Ryder Cup team-mate less than 24 hours after the controversial call which smacked the 2019 champion. Lowry was docked a couple of strokes when it was adjudged his ball had moved during a practice-swing routine on the 12th hole of his Friday round. The Irishman was sickened over the ruling which was based on camera footage, but says he was not going to argue as he was not prepared to be smashed with social-media taunts of being a cheat. READ MORE: Bryson DeChambeau hit by Open warning as he declares it's 'not rocket science' to fix key issue READ MORE: Former World number one tips Scottish golf prodigy everybody is raving about to go all the way Rahm was aware of the scenario and believes something has to change in the rules having been in the same situation himself at one point. The Liv star said: 'I can relate because I've been there. They've done exactly the same thing to me where they give you the iPad, and look what happened. 'You're in a no-win situation because if you say I didn't see it, therefore I don't think it should be a penalty, even though the rule says it should be visible to the naked eye, you always run the risk of being called something you don't want to be called. 'And, if you take it on the safe side, you're taking a two-shot penalty. If he starts at two-under today, you have a good Saturday, you can put yourself in contention. When you get 10 shots back, it's a little bit harder. It's a tough spot to be in. From what I understand from the whole thing, and I haven't seen the images, this is just from what I heard, it needs to be visible without a camera. 'If the rule says visible to the naked eye, we need to uphold that more than anything else. I don't know. It's always going to be based on the situation, and when you get in the rough, it's tricky. 'I'm assuming if he was in the rough on 12, right or left, there's enough people around you that if they see it, they're going to say so. Something needs to be changed for sure, I just don't know exactly how they could change it.' While unimpressed at the Lowry position, Rahm was not one of those with an issue over the slow play. He said: 'The people that played in my wave, we had a lot of rain come in and out, so umbrellas out, glove out, put the rain gear on, take the rain gear off, give the umbrella to the caddie. It becomes a lot longer that way. 'When you have 150 plus the first two rounds, every single major except the Masters, obviously, is going to be longer rounds. It's just what it is. 'In smaller fields when you have less people, and even in threesomes in small fields, you don't really have that issue. Once they get to the Playoffs or DP World championship or Abu Dhabi, those are not things that become an issue. 'I think there's so many players and there's so many opportunities where the game can get delayed, that's just going to happen. It's the flow of the game. There's very little you can do to make those rounds a lot shorter. That's just the nature of the game. 'It's a bit of an adjustment after playing in LIV because we absolutely fly. The one thing we do, I feel like every round is less than four and a half hours unless the weather conditions are crazy. Doral may be a little bit longer. 'It is an adjustment when you get to play a six-hour round a little bit, but I also know it's going to happen. 'Just distract yourself a little bit and basically lock back in when it's time. There's nothing else you can do.'
USA Today
19 hours ago
- Business
- USA Today
LIV Golf to stop paying DP World Tour fines for players, per report
A major change could soon be coming to LIV Golf, and it has nothing to do with the on-course product. Telegraph Sport reported Thursday that LIV Golf has informed its players it will stop paying DP World Tour fines for its players to remain members on the circuit. That change will take effect next season. It's pivotal for a couple reasons, but it has large ramifications for the Ryder Cup. Members of the European squad must be DP World Tour members. Players on LIV Golf, like Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Adrian Meronk and Tom McKibbin, have maintained their DP World Tour membership due to LIV Golf paying the fines. Former DP World Tour golfers competing for LIV Golf are in violation of the DP World Tour's conflicting events policy, which requires a release to play elsewhere. In April 2023, the Tour won a U.K. arbitration case that allows it to enforce the penalties. That means if players want to compete on the DP World Tour, they'll have to pay a fine, among other penalties. Rahm and Hatton are currently appealing that decision. Telegraph Sport reports the league has dished out 15 million euros, with another 8 to 10 million euros due in outstanding fines. The hearing on the appeal will take place after the Ryder Cup in September, making them eligible to play. Rahm's manager, in a letter to Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings, said Rahm 'has no intention of paying any fines," per the report. A source also told Telegraph Sport, "There would be outrage if the Tour caved in. The point is that the Tour fully expected the peace negotiations between the PGA Tour and the Saudis to have been settled by now, so they kicked this can down the road, happy in the belief it wouldn't matter. But with no deal in the pipeline – anything but, in fact – there is a huge problem looming. 'And at this point, unless the impasse between the two parties is broken, or the Tour changes its rules or even quits the strategic alliance with the PGA Tour and rows in with the Saudis, it is inevitable that the Europe Ryder Cup will be weakened for the match in Ireland in 2027. These are uncertain times and there is a lot of angst about what happens next.' LIV Golf is playing its 11th event of 14 in 2025 this week at LIV Golf UK at JCB Golf & Country Club.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
‘Sergio a very obvious good choice' – Jon Rahm backs Garcia for 2031 Ryder Cup captaincy in Spain
Denis O'Brien's Camiral on Catalonia's Costa Brava was officially named as the venue yesterday and Rahm, who was speaking ahead of LIV Golf UK at JCB Golf and Country Club, reckons Garcia could follow in the footsteps of 1997 skipper Seve Ballesteros and captain the side on home soil. "Knowing that some things smoothed over in the world of golf, that Sergio could possibly be the captain of the Ryder Cup team, that also adds to it," Rahm said. "I think there's something to say about possibly having, obviously, a local captain. I think it would do wonders for the crowd. "If history shows us anything, and it's very hard to compare anybody to Seve, but I've only heard stories about what that Ryder Cup was like. "I would say, if possible, I think that's a very obvious good choice to have Sergio be a part of that one." Rahm's Legion XIII teammate Tom McKibbin will be 28 in 2031 and while he opted not to take Rory McIlroy's advice last year and joined the Saudi-funded tour despite warning that it would diminish his chances of qualifying, he admits he'd love to play for Europe in Adare in 2027. "I mean, yeah, I'd love to be a part of Ryder Cups and things like that," said McKibbin. "But again, it just depends just how everything is and how my golf game is by then or before then. "Obviously, you've got the one in Adare Manor in 2027, so I'd love to try to be a part of that, and yeah, just keep trying to play the best I can to work towards those." McKibbin missed his first cut in a major at last week's Open Championship at Royal Portrush, but he hopes that Portmarnock is added to the rota of courses in the future. ADVERTISEMENT "I think Portmarnock is a great links course, probably one of the best in the country, and again, it's a very sort of special, special place, special golf club with a lot of history," McKibbin said. "It's a very pure form of golf. As all the rumours are, the Open there would be pretty cool, and to sort of have two Open venues on the island would be pretty cool." The Newtownabbey native (22) won the Porsche European Open in 2023, but he has yet to win under the 54-hole format since joining the LIV Golf circuit this season. "If you don't quite have it the first day, it's quite a lot of grind to make up for it the last two, and then obviously the fields are strong here," McKibbin said. "There are some incredible players, major champions, and I feel for me personally, I feel like the golf courses have been a little harder. "But overall, I think the main thing for me what I find is trying to get off to a good start so you don't have to chase as much the last couple of days. "I haven't been able to win on the European Tour since then, so I think it's hard to win anywhere."
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
LIV Golf's top earner on another planet compared to rivals after £2.9m bank boost
Countless players have switched to LIV Golf from the PGA Tour since its inception in 2021, with relaxed schedules and mega-money tournament purses turning the heads of players Talor Gooch has added a whopping £2.9 million to his bank balance after clinching the title at LIV Golf Andalucia earlier this month. The Oklahoma native showcased his skills on the greens and fairways of Real Club Valderrama, edging out Jon Rahm by a single stroke with an overall score of eight under par. His team, Smash GC, finished in a respectable T3 position alongside Dustin Johnson's 4Aces, with Gooch, Jason Kokrak, Graeme McDowell and team captain Brooks Koepka ending the three-day tournament at even par when combined. Rahm's Legion XIII topped the team standings at five under, closely followed by Sergio Garcia's Fireballs at three under. Despite the Smash players splitting £371,000 for their performance in Spain, it pales in comparison to the staggering £2.9m Gooch pocketed for winning the individual tournament. LIV Golf, known for its generous prize money and relaxed schedule compared to the PGA Tour, has allowed some of the world's top golfers to amass considerable wealth since its inception. In 2025, the LIV roster boasts big names such as Bryson DeChambeau, Ian Poulter, Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood, to name just a few. While each of these golfers has managed to carve out an impressive career under the Saudi-backed breakaway league, no one has been as handsomely rewarded as Gooch. To date, the 33-year-old has earned a staggering £47.8m, including an incredible £13.3m for finishing as LIV Golf's Individual Champion in 2023, reports the Mirror US. Gooch has participated in 45 LIV Golf events overall, winning four in total. His first victory came in April 2023, when he clinched the top spot at LIV Golf Adelaide with an impressive score of 19 under par, before doubling down just a week later at LIV Golf Singapore. His third win was at 2023's LIV Golf Andalucia in July, and his most recent win at the same event earlier this month takes his total to four. For context, before making the move to LIV, Gooch had only one win on the PGA Tour at the 2021 RSM Classic and a 2017 win on the Korn Ferry Tour's News Sentinel Open. His move to a different banner has evidently paid off. As for the next highest earner on the LIV roster, Johnson has reportedly made £43.6m from 45 events to date, also including his £13.3m award for winning as the 2022 Individual Champion. Elsewhere, Joaquin Niemann, Rahm and Cameron Smith round out the top five highest LIV earners with fortunes of £40m, £36.8m and £34.2m respectively. Despite a string of successes under the LIV banner, Gooch is yet to clinch his first major title, having not made it into the top 10 of the big four so far. His best shot was at the 2022 Masters, where he managed a T14 finish alongside golfing stars such as Min Woo Lee, Harry Higgs, Kevin Na and Tommy Fleetwood. LIV players do not earn Official World Golf Ranking points, which puts them at a disadvantage when it comes to qualifying for major tournaments compared to their PGA counterparts. As a result, Gooch missed out on the Open Championship last weekend. While several LIV stars did make it to the esteemed major held at Royal Portrush this year, only DeChambeau managed to break into the tournament's top 10 with an overall score of nine under. Tyrrell Hatton secured a T16 finish, Johnson had to settle for T23, and Rahm, Garcia and Westwood ended Sunday's play with totals of three under, finishing at T34. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler ultimately took the crown in Northern Ireland on 17 under, four strokes ahead of second-place Harris English. It marked the 29-year-old's second major of the year following his triumph at the PGA Championship back in May, and the fourth of his career overall. While he's in a strong position to secure the much-coveted Career Grand Slam at next year's US Open, he'll be keen to put his T7 finish at this year's event behind him - a tournament where many of his contemporaries also found the going tough due to the punishing conditions at Oakmont Country Club.
