Golfer Jon Rahm has expressed annoyance with golf's focus on money over winning, amid the ongoing battle between LIV Golf and PGA Tour players.
The Spanish 28-year-old believes most golfers play to win tournaments, not to microanalyse their bank accounts. Speaking at a press conference after playing in the PGA Tour Championship, he said: "It's one of the things that frustrates me about watching this broadcast. Like, we're not thinking if we miss a putt how much it's going to cost us money-wise.
"No chance. Like, none whatsoever," he continued. "You're trying to finish as high as possible. You're trying to win a tournament." This year's main events had an average prize purse of £15million ($20m.) Contracts for top players in the sport to join the Saudi-supported LIV circuit were rumoured to be valued in the range of eight to nine figures.
This week's Tour Championship will award the champion £14m ($18m) from a £59m ($75m) bonus pool. Still, Rahm believes the discussion of money is one of his "biggest pet peeves" when trying to compete at the highest level.
Rahm has had a highly lucrative year. With four wins on the PGA Tour, including the Masters, two second-place finishes, and a third-place finish, he has amassed a total of £13.1 million ($16.5 million) in prize money. However, he mentioned being unable to give inquirers the exact count by the end of the year.
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"It's one of my pet peeves when they make this tournament all about money because I think it takes away from it," Rahm said. "When you win a green jacket [at the Masters], I can tell you right now that any major champion this year might not remember how much money they made. And that's the beauty about this game, and I think that's kind of how it should be."
Shortly after, Scottie Scheffler verified Rahm's statement when he was inquired about his awareness of the prize money he had secured from his victory in the previous year's Masters. "I'm not sure," Scheffler responded. "I appreciate the opportunity to play golf professionally, but that's not what drives me. It's as straightforward as that."
Jon Rahm looks ahead after hitting a shotRahm admitted that while money is a frustrating topic, he also speaks from a position of privilege. He noted that his outstanding amateur career resulted in immediate sponsorships, which eased the transition of turning pro.
Before The Open Championship, the Spanish golfer discussed various subjects, including players who decided to stay loyal to the PGA Tour, concerning the tour's upcoming arrangement with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) and LIV Golf. As per reports, Rahm declined an offer of £317m ($400m) from LIV to continue competing on the PGA Tour.
"I understand the PGA Tour wants to do something for those players who helped and stayed on the PGA Tour, but at the same time—and I'll be the first one to say—I wasn't forced into anything. It was my choice to stay," Rahm said before the tournament.
"Do I think [PGA Tour players] absolutely should be [paid], and there must be compensation? No. I just stayed because I think it's the best choice for myself and for the golf I want to play."
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