World No 3 set to strike while the commercial iron is hot but will be accused of hypocrisy because of previous views on LIV
There has long been a perceived problem with too many alpha males in golf’s most prominent circles. Rory McIlroy has admitted even he defers to Tiger Woods when adult discussion is required. McIlroy’s long-time position as the unofficial shop steward for the PGA Tour as LIV’s threat hovered meant others sought counsel from him. Jon Rahm has never been the type to be backwards in coming forwards, which inevitably would probably grate as others in the locker room came across in a more statesmanlike way during golf’s never-ending civil war. Rahm has ego.
The way for Rahm to usurp his peers – or even Woods, arguably the best player of all time – has always been plain: beat them. Two major wins is half McIlroy’s tally. Woods claimed 15. Brooks Koepka and Jordan Spieth have outperformed Rahm on golf’s biggest stages. If Rahm has objected to the headlines generated by McIlroy and Woods in particular, this serves as the kind of grudge golfers can use to their own huge advantage within the ropes.
