Jon Rahm had mixed emotions after the LIV Golf Mayakoba event. The Spaniard became part of LIV Golf a few months ago, surprising all golf fans.
Joaquin Niemann was the best and managed to win the individual event. Sergio Garcia tried to establish dominance and achieve victory, but the young Chilean was focused, motivated, and ready to spoil Garcia’s plans.
Garcia was cautious even after the first round and had only words of praise for Neimmann. However, Sergio did not want to lose his motivation, and he believed that he could change things and win.
Jon Rahm has a reason to feel happy about the Legion XIII team’s win. His team, including Kieran Vincent, Caleb Surratt, and Tyrrell Hatton, showed that they have top-quality skills. In an interview with the media, Jon Rahm emphasized that the team aspect of LIV Golf is one of the reasons why he joined this Tour. His first days at LIV Golf give optimism that Rahm will be one of the best players on this Tour. Even before he debuted, many believed that.
If there was no team event, the Spaniard would be disappointed. As it is, Jon has mixed emotions, but happiness seems to prevail at the moment.
“It feels great. It’s very nice – in a day in which in any normal tournament I probably would have been upset at my finish – to actually have something to celebrate, and that is one of the big reasons why I decided to transition.
To share the stage with those three guys, to share the golf course with all the other teams and compete for something else is what it’s all about. It means a lot.”- Jon Rahm said, as reported by golfmonthly.com
Kieran Vincent, Caleb Surratt, Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm© Manuel Velasquez / Getty Images Sport
Although some had doubts that Rahm’s team could really succeed, the Spaniard didn’t think so. Jon Rahm was confident that his team could achieve a great result. The full team lineup was only known a few days before the start of the tournament, which is also why many were not optimistic about the Legion XIII team’s chances.
“I wouldn’t say we’re ahead of schedule. The goal is to win. I’d like to think everybody in this interview right now, anytime they tee it up, they want to win. That’s the whole point of being here.”
Jon Rahm on the process of adapting to LIV Golf and team events
Jon Rahm will need some time to adjust to the new Tour and the new system. Transitioning from the PGA Tour to suddenly being part of a rival Tour implies a period of adaptation. LIV Golf aims to establish a unique system and make a difference from what we have been accustomed to seeing for years.
Rahm has realized that he wants to be part of this Tour. However, Rahm is not the only one who will have to adapt. He and his team colleagues need to establish chemistry, create unity, and understand the strengths and weaknesses of their game. No one doubts that this team has the potential for great things.
“It’s hard to know what to expect. I think we all had probably our certain reserves for the week. It’s different to any competition we’ve been in before. There’s a lot to adapt to.”
The Spaniard emphasized that only one individual in the team has a certain level of experience with team events. Others might have had a small dose of fear about how everything would look. However, they realized that team events aren’t overly complicated, and they have no reason to be pessimistic. It will take some time for the players to get to know each other even better.
“We all come out here pretty much as rookies. I know Kieran played one or two rounds for Team Smash last year, and he knew a little bit about what to expect, but three of us didn’t. For us to do what we did and perform and get the win, I’m glad that we proved it to ourselves and everybody that we’re a team to reckon with.”
Jon Rahm has ambitions to achieve great things in the future. The criticisms he has received (and continues to receive) are the reason why the Spaniard feels tremendous motivation to become the number one player in LIV Golf. Despite his dominance on the PGA Tour and excellent conditions for growth and earnings, the offer from LIV Golf was challenging to refuse. This brilliant 29-year-old has decided that it’s time for a new challenge. Judging by his early performances on LIV Golf, Rahm seems to have a bright future on this Tour.
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