Jon Rahm: “Not giving world points to LIV players is a mistake! »

Jon Rahm was expected this Tuesday at a press conference at the Emirates Golf Club, host of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. The Spaniard, member of LIV Golf, “rookie” in this Rolex Series at the start of the season, responded to numerous topics such as the Ryder Cup, the Team Cup, the position of the dissident Tour players within the world rankings and even on the future of Tom McKibbin, announced on… LIV Golf. Selected pieces.

With ASAP Sports

His very first time at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic
« This is a tournament I wanted to participate inthe Basque whispers from the start. This event has a long history. There are a lot of great champions taking part. It’s a very, very high quality tournament. I love this city. I love coming here. Every time I have the opportunity to participate in a tournament and come to this city, I do it (…) It will be quite complicated for me to participate in other DP World Tour tournaments before August. Playing one at the start (of the season) and not having to play too many after the Ryder Cup. At the end, it's always difficult. I don't want to risk losing my membership. So there are many reasons why this week was a really good fit for me in my schedule. »

Will he agree to pay his fines if his appeal is heard before the Ryder Cup?
« I don't know what's going to happen in the future, but I can tell you that my plan is to be a part of this team in Bethpage. I hope they don't try to resolve the appeal before the Ryder Cup. I don't think that would be a good thing for anyone.
My plan is to be in Bethpage. »

Sergio Garcia can hit tee to green better than anyone on the planet. It's that simple. It's still as good as ever and it still has a lot of value.

Did he watch the Team Cup on television?
« I wasn't able to follow many matches live due to the time difference, and as I was training I mainly watched the highlights of the matches. I think the one who impressed me the most was Tyrrell (Hatton) in his foursomes match (Saturday morning) against Thorbjørn (Olesen) and Norgaard, I believe. They played -7 (with Matt Wallace) and equalized on the 18th… It's very impressive. But I can't give you an assessment of every player. I'm just happy that a lot of these young players who maybe haven't had the chance to play in the Ryder Cup yet will get to experience a little bit of what it would be like. »

Is Sergio Garcia able to play the next Ryder Cup?
« For people who see it every day, Sergio Garcia can hit tee to green better than anyone on the planet. It's that simple. It's still as good as ever and it still has a lot of value. Being Spanish, friend and mentor, I will obviously be biased towards him. And I would like to see him on this team. Who knows what will happen? I also understand that we did an incredible job in the last Ryder Cup with a newer team, that we came together and put in the performance that we did. So I hope there is a place for Sergio. I think there will be a place for Sergio at any time at the Ryder Cup. It's only a matter of time now. »

I think that with the right minds, we can achieve a product, and I have said this from the beginning, that could place golf at a higher level in the world of sport.

Towards the end of the Circuit War?
« It's really hard to know what's going on behind the scenes. It depends on people much higher up than me. I don't know what their vision is or what they want from all this. I think many of us want to find a solution to achieve an optimal product for the golf fan. I think we are still able to do it. We are currently living in a golden era for golf, where the possibilities are endless. A great tour in Europe and around the world, a great tour, the PGA Tour, and you have another great product that is now added with the TGL. I think that with the right minds, we can achieve a product, and I have said this from the beginning, that could place golf at a higher level in the world of sport. I still have hope that it can happen, and whatever form it takes. »

Why LIV Golf players still can't enter the world rankings?
« I have already expressed my opinion on the global ranking system before joining LIV (…) Not giving world points to LIV players is a mistake (…) To say that LIV players don't deserve places in the Majors is a mistake. I hope it evolves into what it should be. I think Joaquin Niemann did a good enough job that he could earn his spot in the Majors without needing an invitation. Same thing for Talor Gooch. There should be a way for us to qualify. For the points in the world rankings, we have to find a solution, because it is not fair to anyone in that sense. »

Will Tom McKibbin join him on LIV Golf in his team, Legion XIII?
« I can't tell you what the good or bad environment is for Tom. I think it's a good environment (le LIV Golf), like any other. Really ! It's just as competitive as any other circuit. You have to go out there and play against some of the best players in the world. So yes, it's an environment in which you can also progress very quickly. Tom is a fantastic player and the possibilities available to him are endless no matter what he decides to do. »

Photo : Isaiah Vazquez / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP