“Wouldn’t mind going back to 72 holes,” Jon Rahm calls for LIV Golf format changes ahead of 2024 Masters

Jon Rahm wants LIV Golf to play 72 holes and change their current format.

“Wouldn’t mind going back to 72 holes,” Jon Rahm calls for LIV Golf format changes ahead of 2024 Masters

Jon Rahm (Image via Imago)

Just days before his Masters title defense at the Augusta National, Jon Rahm has dropped a huge point for his current league. The two-time major champion has called for changes in the current format of LIV Golf and claimed he “wouldn’t mind going back to 72 holes“.

Jon Rahm shocked the golfing world in December 2023 when he left the PGA Tour and joined the 54-hole circuit on a reported $600 million deal. Since then, he has been criticized for this move by several fans and former players.

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Rahm’s switch to LIV Golf has also raised a question on whether this could unify the two tours. Ever since the establishment of the breakaway tour, the two golf circuits have been at war with each other.

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Speaking in an interview with BBC Sport, the Spaniard believes that playing full 72 holes could help his tour. 

If there ever was a way where LIV could go to 72 holes I think it would help all of this argument a lot. The closer I think we can get LIV Golf to some other things the better. I think it would be for some kind of unification to feed into a world tour or something like that. I don't know if I'm alone in this, but I definitely wouldn't mind going back to 72 holes.
Jon Rahm said.

If the Saudi-funded tour does change this rule and adapt the 72 holes format, then they would have to change their name aswell as ‘LIV‘ refers to 54 in roman numerals, the number of holes they play. With five LIV Golf events already completed, it is unlikely that any such change will be made this year.

Sir Nick Faldo rubbishes chances of Jon Rahm going back-to-back at Masters

One major talking point ahead of the Masters 2024 is whether Jon Rahm, the former World No. 1 can go back-to-back at the Masters this year. Six time major champion Sir Nick Faldo has dismissed this talks and dropped a bold statement regarding Rahm.

Faldo along with Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, is the only golfer who has successfully defended the Masters title. The Englishman went back-to-back in 1989 and 1990.

Sir Nick Faldo and Jon Rahm
Sir Nick Faldo (L) and Jon Rahm (R) [Image via Imago]

While speaking at the Sky Sports Golf Podcast, Faldo claimed he thinks Rahm has not been tested enough at LIV Golf while claiming he has “been playing resort courses“.

I thought The Players was good and I bet he wished he was in there. He has been playing resort courses in shorts for the past couple of months and hasn’t really been tested yet...He’s a hell of a player, but he’s going to have to make a little bit of effort to step it up and get the right intensity.
Sir Nick Faldo said.

Despite not winning on LIV Golf yet, Rahm has been impressive. At the recently concluded LIV Golf Miami event, the 29-year-old finished T4 alongside Legion XIII teammate Tyrell Hatton and Marc Leishman while shooting a score of 8-under 208. This performance will no doubt give him the confidence heading into the first major of the year.

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