LIV Golf star Jon Rahm has shared his thoughts on Bryson DeChambeau’s snub from the USA’s Olympic golf team.
The 2024 US Open champion was overlooked, with Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Wyndham Clark, and Collin Morikawa set to feature at Le Golf National in Paris.
DeChambeau currently sits 10th in the OWGR after his second major win [LIV Golf events still yet to receive OWGR points].
Of course, if the breakaway tour were given some recognition, DeChambeau would no doubt be in the top five.
Rahm, whose ranking has also suffered as a result of his move to LIV, has now given his honest verdict on the big-hitting American’s omission.
Jon Rahm’s view on Bryson DeChambeau’s Olympic snub
Speaking to the media ahead of LIV Golf Nashville this week, Rahm initially suggested it was a conversation for those in the US to have.
“I don’t know if I can be frustrated for Bryson,” he explained. “I don’t know where he stands on the matter. I think it’s more of a question for the Americans in the room.”
On a personal note, the Spaniard has suggested DeChambeau’s exit could benefit him.
Rahm added: “Would you want to have Bryson on the team right now or not? In my case, as a competitor that week, no. But it doesn’t mean that the next guy isn’t going to be as good as Bryson.”
Finally, the LIV Golf star claimed that discussions between the PGA Tour and the PIF are now progressing after talks were recently held in New York.
“I think it’s getting to the point where we hear the conversations between the tour and PIF are getting on,” said Rahm. “I hope sooner rather than later there is some sort of resolution for the players here to earn their way into certain events like you can on every other tour.
“I know LIV is a bit of a different league, but the talent is there, and that, in my mind, is undeniable. So, there should be a way for us to earn our way into certain events, majors, Ryder Cups and so on.”
The USA need consistency in their team selection criteria
It feels like everything is a little bit messy for the USA when it comes to decisions about representing the country at the Olympics, Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup.
On current form, there’s absolutely no doubt DeChambeau should be in the team over Clark. And if the big-hitting LIV star had been awarded world ranking points, he would now be ahead of the 2023 US Open champion.
Whether DeChambeau’s presence on LIV is having an impact remains to be seen, but Brooks Koepka’s inclusion in the 2023 Ryder Cup team adds to the confusion.
If Koepka, who was one of the first big names to head to Greg Norman’s venture, was allowed to feature in Rome, why can’t DeChambeau represent his country in Paris?
More clarity is undoubtedly required.
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