When Jon Rahm announced in December 2023 that he was moving to LIV Golf, it appeared to have the potential to be a real turning point in the game’s civil war with the Spaniard’s jump proving to be a monumental blow to the PGA Tour.
Jon Rahm stunned many by deciding to join LIV Golf. It was arguably LIV’s biggest signing up until that point. And it would be naive to think that Rahm’s move did not have an impact on Team Europe’s stance on potentially picking LIV players for the Ryder Cup.
Rahm captained Legion XIII in their debut season. And he went on to win the individual title on LIV as he secured two victories throughout the year. He also did not register a single finish outside the top 10 in the league.
Interestingly, it appears that the 30-year-old did not move the needle significantly. He had one top 10 in the majors in 2024 – and only briefly looked like he may be in contention on Sunday at The Open Championship at Royal Troon. He also threw away a four-shot lead on the back nine on Sunday at the Olympics and finished outside the medals altogether.
Jon Rahm’s 2024 season criticised despite two wins
And perhaps his year on LIV should not be considered as impressive as it looks. Speaking on the On the Mark Golf Podcast, Mark Immelman and Patrick McDonald insisted that Rahm should be demanding so much more of himself.
“So, Jon Rahm, two wins on the LIV tour, I mean, for him, that’s ridiculous in my opinion. He should be winning more out there, so I’ve got questions. But I gave him a B,” Immelman said.
“I gave him a B-. Similar line of thinking, I’m in the same boat as you, I think Jon Rahm should be cleaning up on LIV Golf. Everyone talked about the top 10 streak, I don’t think he finished outside the top 10 on LIV Golf all season, which is an accomplishment and a testament to his consistency,” McDonald replied.
“He could play with half a set of irons and finish inside the top 10,” Immelman added.
“I’m trying to be politically correct here, Mark. But before The Open and that top 10 finish he had there, his major championship season was a disaster, an absolute disaster,” McDonald said.
The LIV Golf star who outshone Rahm in 2024
It was surprising that Rahm took so long to secure that first victory of the season, with that maiden win coming in late July. Ultimately, there is a lot of quality at the top of LIV, but the depth is a real issue for the league.
And it is perhaps fair to say that he was overshadowed by another LIV player throughout the year, with Bryson DeChambeau‘s victory at the US Open showing that he has become one of the most popular players on the planet.
DeChambeau had a poor year on LIV by his standards, but that may not matter to a lot of fans because his performances on LIV only tell part of his story in 2024.
He has captured the imagination of plenty of golf fans with what he did at Pinehurst and on social media. And if there is a deal between the PGA Tour and the PIF, it will be DeChambeau’s return which will be heralded perhaps more than Rahm’s.
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