Jon Rahm has urged LIV Golf to stage a links event in Ireland a week before the Open Championship in order to boost his chances of winning a Claret Jug.
Rahm has been knocking on the door at Open Championships over the years finishing seventh last week in Troon, second in Hoylake last year, third in 2021 and 11th in 2019. He also boasts two Irish Open wins in Portstewart in 2018 and Lahinch in 2019.
The Spaniard revealed to Golf Digest that he is pushing for the Saudi backed tour to host a links event in Ireland to give LIV golfers the chance to prepare properly for the Open Championship and rival the Genesis Scottish Open.
“I would hope so; I’m pushing for it.
“There’s so much that goes into adjusting to links golf; getting used to the greens and the ball reacting on the ground. I didn’t think about it until after [Troon], but it’s undeniable how much it helps to play a links golf course the week before the Open.”
Trump International Doonbeg would be an obvious candidate to host a LIV Golf event and the two-time major winner believes the idea would be popular among the players.
“Obviously, LIV management have contracts in place with some venues and plans in the future,” Rahm said of the challenges.
“It’s not as easy as it sounds to just say, ‘Well, let’s do this.’ [But] it’d be something I would like to talk to other players [on LIV] about because that way, there’s strength in numbers if five, six or 10 solid players [all agree]. I think a lot of people might agree with it.”
Rahm would love to follow in Seve Ballesteros’ footsteps and win the Open Championship and he feels a “home” event the week before in Ireland would be the perfect preparation.
“You’re preaching to the choir; I love Ireland,” Rahm told reporter Evin Priest.
“I’ve always felt really welcome in Ireland. It feels like home and some of the most fun rounds of golf I’ve ever played are there and there are some great venues.
“So yeah, if there was an opportunity for LIV Golf to play in Ireland it would be absolutely fantastic.”
He added: “I want to win the Open and a lot of Spanish people want to see me win it because no [Spaniard] since Seve has been able to do it.
“I love links golf and the Open and I’m looking forward to giving myself a better chance.”