SPANISH golf star Jon Rahm has called for LIV Golf to make a major change to their schedule.
The Spaniard reckons it would be a no-brainer for the Greg Norman run organisation to host a LIV Golf event on a links course on the Emerald Isle ahead of The Open Championship.
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The PIF-backed tour play the iconic Valderama ahead of final major of the year.
But that course is a parkland track, which offers little similarity to that of a links golf course.
And Rahm reckons a trip to an Irish links would be ideal preparation for the tour’s players ahead of The Open.
29-year-old Spanish star won his first professional event at Royal County Down to claim the 2017 Irish Open title, the venue for this year’s championship.
Ireland previously hosted a number of the world’s bigger events in the past, such as the WGC (Now Signature Events) but lack of sponsorship has seen fewer events host in the country.
But the R&A recently plans to host a future Open at Portmarnock links in Dublin, a plan that has been welcomed by the Irish government – but that is likely to be a number of years away from becoming a reality.
And the Barrika native has now called for the rebel league to host an event on an Irish links track ahead future Open Championships.
The two-time major winner was speaking ahead of the LIV Golf UK by JCB that gets underway at JCB Golf & Country Club tomorrow morning.
He said: “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.
“You’re preaching to the choir; I love Ireland.
“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.
“I want to win the Open and a lot of Spanish people want to see me win it because no [Spaniard] since Seve [Ballesteros] has been able to do it.
“I love links golf and the Open and I’m looking forward to giving myself a better chance.”
Players from all over the planer constantly frequent Irish links course ahead and after Open Championships.
PGA Tour stars Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas headed to the European Club in Wicklow after last week’s Open, and Shane Lowry skipped the Scottish Open to prepare at Hogs Head in Clare two weeks ago.
Courses such as Trump Doonbeg, Waterville and Ballybunion have also proved to be popular tracks for preparation ahead of the battle for the Claret Jug.