Jon Rahm will be desperate to win The PGA Championship this week, but he’ll most likely have to finish ahead of Rory McIlroy if he is to do just that.
Rahm heads into The PGA Championship in real need of a big result in a major championship.
The Spaniard hasn’t actually won this year, but he has finished inside the top-10 in every single LIV Golf event that he has played.
Meanwhile, McIlroy has enjoyed a stellar season, with three wins to his name including The Masters.
Rahm congratulated McIlroy after his win at Augusta National, and he undoubtedly would have gained huge inspiration from the Northern Irishman’s victory.
Interestingly, McIlroy thought about Rahm when he double-bogied the first hole during his final round of the Masters.
The 30-year-old had done the same thing after four-putting the first green on his way to victory at Augusta in 2023.
Jon Rahm picks the one part of Rory McIlroy’s game he’d love to have
Rahm and McIlroy are two of the most explosive and exciting players to watch when they’re on song.
It’s such a shame that the two-time major champion decided to join LIV in 2023, rather than stay on the PGA Tour, so that we could watch him every week!
Rahm addressed the media at Quail Hollow on Tuesday and offered high praise for McIlroy.
He responded when asked what part of the Northern Irishman’s game he would take for himself if he could.
Rahm said, “Oh, my God. Based on the success he’s had here, you almost have to go with some part of Rory’s game. He’s done incredible here, and it’s because he’s good at everything obviously.
“I think the obvious answer for a lot of people probably would say his driving on this golf course, but I think, as a pretty good driver myself, I’m going to choose how well he’s been able to putt on those greens.
“I would also say if I had to go with somebody who was maybe statistically a better putter, it’s hard to go with somebody other than Xander, especially in recent years. I mean, I can rifle off about 10 different players, Scottie’s iron game or quite a few other guys about their wedge game.
“If I have to go pick one, just because he’s done so well here, I’m going to say how well Rory has done here, maybe on the greens and around the greens.“
What McIlroy said about Rahm returning to play PGA Tour events
A merger between the PGA Tour and LIV seems to be a long way off right now.
However, if some kind of arrangement could be reached, then Rahm would be a major addition to the PGA Tour once again.
McIlroy explained how he would welcome back the 30-year-old with open arms, just before the start of the Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines in February.
He said, “There are guys that were on the PGA Tour that went to play on LIV and if they still have status, sure, come back, come back and play. Like for us, they’ve all got equity in this Tour. Having Bryson DeChambeau come back and play on this Tour is good.
“I think he should have the ability to earn equity, but I think what we have been given equity in this Tour as a, I guess, quote-unquote, company — like for being loyal in some way or staying. But I think these guys coming back, I think they should have the opportunity to earn equity, which I think will happen.”
“Like Jon Rahm would love to play here this week, or he would love to play the Phoenix Open. There are certain events that they definitely miss. I think the hard thing for me, you know, is they – they want to do that, but then they also want to play a few events here.“
Hopefully one day we, as fans, will be able to watch the best golfers in the world compete alongside one another on a more regular basis.
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