Jon Rahm has shared the question that he would love to hear Xander Schauffele answer ahead of the Olympic Games, with the American looking to win another gold medal in the golf this week.
Of course, golf is being played at an Olympic Games for only the third time in more than a century this week, with many of the world’s best travelling to Le Golf National.
Obviously, this coming week has added significance as it is one of the rare occasions when some of the best on LIV Golf compete directly against the heavyweights from the PGA Tour. But it is also interesting to track how prestigious the various players view winning a gold medal.
Jon Rahm is likely to be one of the favourites for the event, particularly as he was one of those who played in the 2018 Ryder Cup at the course just outside Paris. He is also one of the major champions in the field.
Jon Rahm shares question he wants to see Xander Schauffele answer
Rahm was asked in his press conference about the idea of whether a gold medal would mean more than a major win, and he suggested that he is not the best person to ask – for now.
“I’ve got this question a lot, and I think that’s a great question for Xander Schauffele since he’s the only man recently to have done both. Rosey has done both, as well, so those are the two people that can tell you exactly what they feel,” he said.
“It’s hard to say. Golf’s history with the Olympics is so young right now, that it may not have the magnitude or recognition that it could have in the future, right.
“Unfortunately in golf, majors are always going to be, not unfortunately, it just is what it is. It always going to be the biggest part of the sport. I think to the public, having the major might mean more.
“On a personal level, to be able to win a gold medal for your country is always going to have much more meaning for yourself than it might to the public, right. It’s hard to say. It’s hard to say where I would put it.
“What I’ve been saying a little is if I were to win on Sunday, ask me the question again and I can answer. But right now, I really can’t give you an answer on that.”
Why Olympic gold can become as important as the majors in the future
There is definitely the potential for an Olympic gold medal to become as prestigious as a major championship win, if it is not already at that level.
Ultimately, the majors are always likely to be viewed as what the playing calendar is built around, and if you offered a player a major win but said that they were not allowed to compete in that year’s Olympics, you would think that plenty would be willing to take that deal.
However, with the Olympics only being played every four years traditionally, the prestige of winning an Olympic medal will ramp up. A top player has 16 attempts to win a major between each appearance at the Olympics, so it is a special opportunity.
Certainly, those in Paris this week are not going to be giving any thought to Augusta National or Royal Portrush in the coming days.
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