'Not being there was difficult,' World No.3 Jon Rahm REGRETS being unable to defend PGA Tour titles following $600 million switch to LIV Golf

The year 2023 started off with a bang for Rahm as he claimed The Sentry Tournament of Champions, the American Express and the Genesis Invitational in January and February. He topped off this three wins by claiming the Masters title at the Augusta National in April.

However, with him being suspended, Rahm was ineligible to play in the three tour events this year and try and defend his crown. While opening up about his, the Spaniard said this is one of the thing which has been the most difficult for him since he joined LIV Golf.

I’m not going to lie, for everybody who said [leaving for LIV] would be easy, some things have been, but not being able to defend some titles that mean a lot to me hasn’t. I love Palm Springs... Riviera is about as charismatic of a golf course as we have. It’s definitely a week that it’s fantastic for a lot of us, and it’s a fan and player favorite. Not being there was difficult. Jon Rahm on missing out from defending his PGA Tour titles via Golf.com.

Rahm would later talk about his Masters win and hoped that he could return and defend his crown. He is aiming to become just the fourth player after Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods to go back-to-back at this iconic event.

Jon Rahm claims there will be some who won’t be happy to see LIV Golfers return at The Masters

Despite a golf merger deal ongoing to unify the sport and bring the two tours together, there still seems a bit of animosity between them. In recent weeks, shots were once again fired between the tour players which gave a sense that there is still some work to be done.

Jon Rahm knows it too. As per reports from Golf Magic, the two-time major claimed that there would be some people who will not be pleased to see him and the other LIV Golfers make their return at the Augusta National in April.

The LIV Golfers have not enjoyed a good time at the major championships since the left the tour. Golfers like Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson were all aggressively booed and heckled at the majors.

I’m assuming there will be quite a few that are not happy, but from my side nothing changes. Jon Rahm on reception LIV Golfer could get via Golf Magic.

The question is can Rahm defend the title with more pressure on him now following his switch? Despite not winning in any of the four LIV events so far, he has impressed the fans with his gameplay. However, there will be no room for error at the Augusta National which would mean the Spanish golfer will need to bring out his best to silence the critics and claim another green jacket.