Prior to the 2024 season, LIV Golf signed Jon Rahm for a mega deal reported to be in the range of $600 million. Rahm currently sits second in the LIV Golf individual season standings, but many would argue he’s underachieved so far this season.

The Spaniard is yet to win a LIV event and has also been extremely disappointing in majors as well. He finished T45 at The Masters as the defending champion, missed the cut at the PGA Championship and was forced to withdraw from the U.S. Open with an infection in his toe.

LIV Critics have attributed Rahm’s lack of major success to the fact that the LIV schedule is lighter and doesn’t require the players to practice as much as they had previously. At this week’s pre-tournament press conference at Valderrama for LIV Andalucia, Rahm was asked if the move to LIV is the primary reason for his struggles.

“Is the format less competitive than before?” said the reporter.

“No.” Rahm answered.

“It’s not easy to win golf tournaments, I’ve been close. I just haven’t gotten it done.”

While he didn’t attribute his less than stellar season to being on a new tour, he did admit it wasn’t his best when asked to rate his performance this season.

“There’s been weeks where I feel like I scored a lot better than I felt.”

“And there’s been a couple weeks where it could have been better.

“I haven’t won yet so that would deduct quite a bit from it.

“I would say maybe six to a seven out of 10 if I had to say. But the year is not over.

“[There is] still a lot to play for.

“It would not be unheard of to see a player finish strong and change that to maybe a nine out of 10.”

Rahm will begin his quest to turn his 2024 season into a “nine out of 10” this week in his home country at LIV Golf Andalucia.

More from the 19th Hole

Some time has passed, but Rory McIlroy’s pre-tournament presser ahead of his return to action this week at the Scottish Open was dominated with talk of his U.S. Open collapse at Pinehurst.

After his final round at Pinehurst, Rory sped off in his courtesy Lexus, choosing not to speak with the media. A decision that drew criticism from some media members and golf fans alike.

At this week’s event, McIlroy was asked if he regretted that decision.

“Absolutely not. No. There’s nothing that I could have said that was – not that – I mean, it would have been good because you guys would have been able to write something about it or have a few quotes from me. No offence; you guys were the least of my worries at that point.”

Despite the disappointment, the four-time major champion is already focused on winning the next one.

“Yeah, I stewed on what happened at Pinehurst for a couple of days, but then, yeah, thankfully I can go home and look at what I’ve achieved in the game and sort of feel okay about myself.

“Yeah, look, it was a great opportunity. It passed me by but hopefully, when I get that next opportunity, it won’t pass me by.”

McIlroy will tee it up at the Renaissance Club this week as the defending champion at the Scottish Open.

More from the 19th Hole

On Monday, the golf world was shocked by the decision made by the Ryder Cup committee to appoint Keegan Bradley as the 2025 Ryder Cup captain for the United States team.

Bradley is just 38 years old, which makes him the youngest Ryder Cup captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963.

With Bradley being chosen, plenty of other candidates who would have been considered more traditional picks, were passed over. Among them was Stewart Cink, who many considered to be one of the favorites to land the captaincy after Tiger Woods declined.

While speaking at The Renaissance Club on Tuesday, Cink expressed his disappointment.

“I’m disappointed that I wasn’t chosen to be the captain, of course. I was really hoping to be in that role. I love the United States and I love the players. I have so much respect for the players and the Ryder Cup, and Keegan has great energy and he’s playing great. He’ll do a really good job. I know he wants a team win and his roots being there in New England, he’ll be a great captain.”

Cink acknowledged that the choice of Bradley was against the grain and may resonate with the younger players on the team.