What Phil Mickelson said about Jon Rahm’s anger on the golf course three years before he decided to join LIV Golf

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Phil Mickelson and Jon Rahm have been close friends off the course for a long time now.

Rahm attended Arizona State University, and Mickelson was a fellow Sun Devil as well.

Both golfers left the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf – the 54-year-old in 2022 and the Spaniard in 2023.

Rahm recently said that Mickelson is one of the best drivers of the ball he has ever seen.

Last year Rahm also praised Mickelson’s ridiculous short game, and that’s no surprise given the Californian’s ability with a wedge in his hand.

Rahm – who was coached by Mickelson’s brother, Tim, during his time at Arizona State University – has always looked up to the 45-time PGA Tour winner.

And it’s clear to see that Mickelson is a huge fan of Rahm as well.

What Phil Mickelson said about Jon Rahm’s anger on the course before he joined LIV

Back in 2020, Mickelson offered a really interesting take on Rahm, specifically regarding the 30-year-old’s anger on the golf course.

The 54-year-old spoke to reporters about his fellow Sun Devil’s attitude when playing.

And he opened up on Rahm’s anger being a key factor behind his success.

“Yeah, Jon Rahm is a remarkable talent, and you’re seeing it. You’re seeing it in his play week in and week out from a game that has no weaknesses, drives it long, drives it straight, good iron play, good wedge player, great putter. He just doesn’t have a weakness, and he also has great course management, thinks himself around the golf course, and he knows himself. He knows that to relax sometimes he has to let some of his anger out. He can’t hold that in. It might upset some people, but he knows that it allows him to be at his best, and so I think that that’s a big thing, too, is identifying your own self, and he’s done a great job of that at a really young age, to know how he has to be, what his presence and attitude have to be for him to play his best.“

That’s a really interesting way to look at it, and it’s similar to Tyrrell Hatton’s anger on the golf course in a way.

Without it, Rahm would quite simply not be the same player.

Jon Rahm’s major record since joining LIV Golf

Rahm’s golf has undoubtedly suffered since he joined LIV from the PGA Tour.

However, there have been signs recently that he is returning to somewhere near his best form.

Here’s how the Spaniard has performed in the four majors since joining LIV Golf:

Rahm’s tie for eighth at the PGA Championship this year is slightly misleading.

He was bang in contention to win the tournament right up until the final three holes, before he tried to force the issue and Scottie Scheffler ran away with the trophy.

Rahm will undoubtedly win another major again, and as Mickelson said, he will do it by being himself, and nothing more.