Masters champion Jon Rahm's move to LIV could prove a 'tipping point' in the battle for the future of the men's professional game, writes Iain Carter.
Masters champion Jon Rahm has called for the LIV Golf League to move to 72 holes and believes his lucrative switch to the breakaway tour could prove a "tipping point" in the ongoing battle for the future of men's professional golf.
Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: "If there ever was a way where LIV could go to 72 holes I think it would help all of this argument a lot. "That's a well thought out argument," he told me. "I could be the start of a tipping point in that sense. Rahm points to the 6 June 2023 announcement of a "framework agreement" between the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the PGA and DP World Tours as a pivotal moment for him.
Behind the scenes this week the politicking will continue in the confines of the Augusta National clubhouse. Rumours are already circulating that PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan could be in attendance at the Masters. "I think the part that gets lost here is, obviously I'm not happy about doubling the first hole. But if you are going to make a mistake like that it might as well be early enough that you have plenty of time to rectify.He bounced back with a birdie at the second and was able to satisfy what he regards as a key benchmark for the opening stretch through the cathedral pines of the famed Alister Mackenzie layout.
"We played a lot of golf on the weekend," Rahm recalled. "The last one somewhat like that I believe was 2005. Tiger was telling me he played 54 holes on the weekend because of weather delays." And he is convinced that he will get an added boost from now being qualified to use the ultra exclusive champions locker room.
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