Jon Rahm has stated that he is unbothered by the ongoing uncertainty surrounding LIV Golf as he prepares for this week’s Irish Open in Doonbeg. The Spanish golfer, who joined LIV prior to the 2024 season, emphasized his ability to handle the instability affecting the tour.
LIV Golf’s future has become increasingly unclear after the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia withdrew its financial backing. Although the 2026 season concluded prematurely with the cancellation of the team championship in Detroit, Rahm’s Legion XIII teammate Tyrrell Hatton has expressed confidence that the tour will return next year. Despite LIV confirming operational cuts and layoffs earlier this month, Rahm maintained a steady outlook.
“Yes and no, it hasn’t really changed from my last interview in Indianapolis a few weeks ago,” Rahm told BBC Sport when questioned about his long-term plans. “There’s a lot of things in place, right? There’s a lot of things that could happen and it’s one of those things where time’s gonna tell.”
Reflecting on the challenges, Rahm remarked, “To be fair for us people that joined LIV, I’m pretty good at dealing with turbulence.” This sentiment comes as former major champions Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed have chosen to return to the PGA Tour, whereas Rahm’s path remains undecided. When asked about a potential comeback, he offered a noncommittal “we’ll see what happens.”
Rahm is making his first appearance at the Irish Open since securing his second victory at Lahinch in 2019, having also won at Portstewart in 2017. He enters the event on the back of a strong 2026 LIV season, where he claimed two wins to capture his third consecutive individual title, along with a tie for second at the USPGA Championship in May.
Despite facing windy and wet conditions on Ireland’s west coast on Monday, Rahm remained focused on adjusting to the course. “It truly doesn’t matter how my game feels right now,” he said with a laugh. “I think it was the second Irish Open that my game felt terrible leading into it… so it really doesn’t matter what it feels like Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.”
The 31-year-old is now aiming to join fellow Spaniard Seve Ballesteros with a third Irish Open triumph. Following the tournament in County Clare, Rahm will compete at next week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, the signature event of the DP World Tour. His participation is permitted under a deal struck earlier this year between the DP World Tour and several LIV players, including Rahm and Hatton, allowing them to compete on both circuits without sanction, though this arrangement is valid only for the current season.
Smart move playing in Ireland before Wentworth. If the deal holds, he gets free wins before the real grind starts.
Unbothered? More like clueless. LIV folding and he’s talking about golf conditions?
Finally, a Spaniard back at Doonbeg! Hope the wind is as brutal as always for him this time.