Paul McGinley says Jon Rahm ‘really hoping’ for PGA Tour-PIF deal as he seeks major form at Troon

The Sky Sports pundit and 2104 Ryder Cup captain told reporters he feels Rahm is “really hoping for a deal” between the LIV Golf backers and the US circuit as he struggles to deal with the new reality of life on the Saudi-backed circuit.

“Jon Rahm is just not on the cutting edge like he was, and his performances in the majors this year have shown that,” McGinley told reporters at the announcement of Sky Sports Golf’s new partnership with adidas Golf at this week’s Open at Royal Troon.

Paul Kimmage at The Open

Without a win on the breakaway LIV Golf circuit since he inked his reputed $600 million deal at the end of last year, the big Basque has also failed miserably to repeat the kind of form that brought him victory in the 2021 US Open and the 2023 Masters.

After finishing tied for 45th at Augusta, Rahm missed the cut in the PGA Championship in Louisville and withdrew from last month’s US Open with a foot injury.

“I don’t think he’s in a happy place, he doesn’t look content on the course,” McGinley told GolfMagic.

“When he’s got that focus about him like he did last year when he was on that strong run, you could see he was relishing and enjoying the challenge. He just doesn’t seem settled.

“Jon is such a great player, but is he hitting a lot of bad shots. The intensity, that positive intensity he normally brings just doesn’t seem to be there.

“I would say he’s one of those guys on LIV that is really hoping for a deal. I think he would have liked to have played in Scotland last week rather than Valderrama by choice.

“That’s the problem. You go to LIV, sign away your freedom to pick and choose where you play. Okay, you get paid a lot of money, but you give up a lot too.

“In the middle of your career, you want to be preparing [for the majors] and you don’t have a choice on where to play.

“I’m sure Jon would have much preferred to play the Scottish Open last week. He’s a guy that’s won a couple of Irish Opens on links courses, so he’s played really well on those courses.

“I have to question whether he is on the cutting edge and whether his preparation is really ready to go this week.”