Jon Rahm says he can handle LIV Golf ‘turbulence’ ahead of Irish Open
Jon Rahm admits he is still dealing with “turbulence” amid doubt over the future of LIV Golf as he bids to win a third Irish Open title this week.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has withdrawn its backing for the breakaway tour, as organisers try to pull together new investment.
The 2026 LIV season ended early and the tour confirmed last month that it would scale back operations, with Rahm and many of its other leading names linked with a return to the PGA Tour.
Rahm, who joined LIV in December 2023, told the BBC: “To be fair for us people that joined LIV, I’m pretty good at dealing with turbulence.
“There’s just 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.”
The two-time major winner said “we’ll see what happens” when asked about a possible PGA Tour return.
Rahm is part of a stacked field for the Irish Open, which is being held at US President Donald Trump’s course in Doonbeg, County Clare.
The president is expected to attend this week’s event, where Rory McIlroy is bidding to defend the title he won at the K Club last year.
Rahm reached a deal with the DP World Tour earlier this year which secured his Ryder Cup future, having also agreed to play in a number of DP World Tour tournaments.
The Spaniard will play in next week’s BMW Championship at Wentworth and hopes to compete in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai later this year – if those events go ahead amid the conflict in the Middle East.
Next year’s Ryder Cup will be back on Irish soil at Adare Manor, with Rahm keen to be part of another European team under returning captain Luke Donald.
“I wouldn’t say it’s that much on my mind yet,” Rahm told a press conference in Doonbeg. “I understand why, being in Ireland, a lot of people are already looking forward to it.
“But I hope I’m representing Europe at Adare Manor, I really would love to be there, but there’s just so much time that I haven’t really given it that much thought yet. But obviously we, a lot of us, obviously want to be there and represent Europe.
“I don’t know what it is about Irish people, but every time I come they make me feel like I’m at home, so it’s always really fun.
“I think that their understanding of golf is very special. As a professional golfer, when you come and you feel that appreciated, it’s really special. It’s unique.”
Rahm will play alongside home favourite Shane Lowry and former Masters champion Patrick Reed for the first two rounds, teeing off at 1345BST on Thursday.
McIlroy is in the group ahead, alongside Robert McIntyre and Brooks Koepka, while Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin plays in a group with Donald and will hope to catch the Ryder Cup captain’s eye.