Rahm continues to be an influential global star, adding the Masters to the 2021 US Open title he won at Torrey Pines in California. He was a die-hard LIV critic, but his transfer late last year shocked the golf world.
He is now proving to be an important part of the modern golf scene, as if LIV were able to bring him into their ranks, they could secure the services of almost any major player. I agree with that idea.
“That's a well-considered argument,” he told me. “In that sense, I may be at the beginning of a turning point.
“I understand the weight of it.” [my] The likelihood of that decision and its impact. I totally understood that. That's why it wasn't an easy decision.
“It can throw golf off balance a little bit. I've been fortunate enough to have accomplished a lot in my career, especially in the last year, and to be one of the big names in golf.
“In that sense, there are few active players who have had a bigger influence than me. I don't want to push myself too hard, but I understand the position I was in.”
Rahm points to the Framework Agreement announced between the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the PGA and DP World Tour on June 6, 2023 as a pivotal moment for him.
Like other leading players on both tours, he was blindsided by the move and spoke at the time of a sense of “betrayal” to the tour hierarchy. “I wasn't happy,” he admitted.
“It wasn't the perfect time to try to address such an issue at the U.S. Open.
“What we have to reflect on is that everything changed the moment we worked on the framework agreement.
“And that's where all the changes started. If it wasn't me[taking action]someone else would have done it at some point.
“If the PGA Tour is willing to work with PIF and LIV or collaborate in some way, that opens the door for me to do the same.”
Behind-the-scenes political maneuvering inside Augusta National's clubhouse continues this week. Rumors are already circulating that PIF President Yasir Al-Rumayan may attend the Masters.
But Rahm plans to put his future in golf aside and focus on defending his laurels. Thinking back to 12 months ago, he smiles as he remembers how he first set out to secure his green jacket.
He started with a double bogey after four putts on the first green. “I’m so happy to talk about it now,” he laughed.
“It was very unusual. I hit a perfect tee shot, hit an 8-iron to the center of the green – so far according to plan – but then hit the first putt a little too hard and the next… I misread the two putts.
“I think what I’m confused about here is obviously I’m not happy with doubling on the first hole, but if I’m going to make a mistake like that, I’ve got enough time to correct it. It might be better to do it as early as possible.”
“Every putt felt good.”
He bounced back with a birdie on number two to meet what he considers a key benchmark for the opening stretch through the cathedral pines of the famous Alistair McKenzie layout.
“If you're even par around the seventh fairway, I think you're doing well. At Augusta National, the first six holes can be really difficult.”
“That was my challenge because a lot of mistakes can happen and a lot of bogeys can happen. I was actually on the seventh fairway at even par and I made a birdie on the seventh. But I didn't feel it made any difference.”
Last year's tournament was marred by bad weather, forcing Rahm to play 30 holes on the final day, but he then emerged victorious, joining fellow Spaniards Seve Ballesteros, Jose María Olazabal and Sergio Garcia. He won the Masters.
“I played a lot of golf on the weekends,” Rahm recalls. “I think the last time something like that was in 2005. Tiger [Woods] He said he played 54 holes over the weekend because of the weather. ”
He believes he is in better shape in the month leading up to the tournament than he was a year ago, when he won three games early on the PGA Tour. He rejects the idea that LIV lacks the competitive intensity that previous circuits offered.
“I understand that people are skeptical,” Rahm said. “Okay, I’ve been out there and voiced that to probably more people than most people talk to.
“That was one of the things that held me back from participating in LIV Golf. But when I get here and the tournament starts, sometimes I forget I’ve only played 54 holes. .”
And he believes being eligible for use of the ultra-exclusive Champions locker room will give him an extra boost.
“It's always an added bonus to go back and know that you're a champion and have an idea of how to get things done, and the confidence that you can do it again,” he said. Ta.
“It's going to be a little different being the defending champion, but I also need to be a little more motivated.”
He looks forward to hosting a Basque-themed Champions Dinner on Tuesday nights featuring small local snacks called pintxos. By tradition (there are so many at the Masters) he is supposed to pick up the tab, but he readily and willingly acknowledged that he has plenty of leeway.
In fact, he's ready to enjoy everything that comes with being the winner of golf's most glamorous tournament. “That's really incredible, isn't it?” he smiled.
“To be able to go into that dressing room and be surrounded by those players. This is a very exclusive club, very, very exclusive, very special.
“I’m going to come back as the defending champion and have a good run and hopefully be the guy that can win.”
He is the first to successfully defend his title since Woods 22 years ago. Considering the impact his transition to the LIV Tour has had, such success would mean a lot.
The full interview with Jon Rahm can be heard on BBC Sounds on BBC Radio 5 Live's 'Masters Preview' program from 21:00 BST on Monday 8th April.