Jose Maria Olazabal has expressed concern that Jon Rahm's move to LIV Golf could impact his legacy and ability to compete effectively in Major championships.

Speaking to Spanish outlet El Pais, Olazabal acknowledged understanding the financial motivation behind Rahm's decision but questioned whether LIV Golf's format provides adequate preparation for Majors. "I respect that [decision], but I was surprised because Jon had been very clear in his words and he had an extraordinary future and the opportunity to make history in this sport," Olazabal stated.

The two-time Masters champion specifically pointed to LIV's structure - 54-hole tournaments with smaller fields and no cuts - as potentially detrimental to maintaining competitive edge. "Playing 12 or 14 tournaments without a cut, with 54 players, it's not the same as playing against 150 and knowing that you can go home," he explained.

While acknowledging Bryson DeChambeau's Major success while competing on LIV, Olazabal remains skeptical about the long-term impact on players' ability to perform in golf's biggest events.

Olazabal also expressed broader concerns about golf's current divided state: "It makes me sad that money has divided golf. If you had put a check in front of me with a bunch of zeroes on it, I might have done it, too. But it's a shame that money has destroyed in such a short time what had been built up over so many years."

The 59-year-old veteran particularly dislikes LIV's format innovations, including simultaneous tee times and on-course music, though he admits he might have been tempted by such an offer in his younger days.

Related Articles

Previous Articles