Jon Rahm names the one thing Rory McIlroy deserves huge credit for in recent years

Jon Rahm has praised Rory McIlroy for helping grow the game around the world, while urging golf to follow the global model successfully adopted by Formula 1 and professional tennis.

Speaking to reporters ahead of LIV Golf Andalucia, Rahm highlighted McIlroy's willingness to compete internationally and said golf's biggest stars should do more to take elite events to new audiences across the globe.

"The European Tour does play all over the planet, but there is work that can be done there so that the best players in the world play all over the world, like Formula 1 has done, like tennis does. [Golf] is such a beautiful sport that I wish there were more bigger tournaments in Australia, South Africa, Hong Kong, China, Japan," said Rahm, in comments made to Spanish reporters and translated into English.

"I understand it’s difficult to travel more, but it’s part of the sport where spectators have a massive hunger to see good players, or the best players, or world-class players, which they might not have had until now.

"I do have to give some credit to Rory, because in recent years you do see him traveling to Australia, to India, to tournaments where he might not have played before or not in many years, and the presence of someone like him there can make a very good impact for the tournament and for the local golf scene in whichever country he goes to.”

Rahm's comments come as McIlroy competes at this week's Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village, the PGA Tour's penultimate Signature Event of the season, hosted by 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus. 

The Northern Irishman is bidding for a maiden victory at the prestigious event.

Although Rahm and McIlroy have not always agreed on golf's ongoing divide, relations between the two Ryder Cup teammates appear to have softened in recent months.

Last month, McIlroy welcomed the resolution of Rahm's long-running dispute with the DP World Tour, a development that secured the Spaniard's eligibility for next year's Ryder Cup.

Rahm had initially refused to pay fines imposed for competing in LIV Golf events without the required releases following his move to the Saudi-backed circuit in 2024. 

However, a compromise was eventually reached, with Rahm reportedly agreeing to pay fines believed to total around £2 million.

"I think it's good that we have it all behind us," McIlroy told Golf Channel.

"I think as a European Ryder Cup player, we all know that having Jon on the team is better than not having him on the team.

"I'm glad that they came to an agreement. It took him a little longer to get there than some of the other guys, but he got there in the end, thankfully.

"It's good that we can put that behind us and move forward."

Away from Ryder Cup matters, Rahm has also addressed ongoing questions surrounding LIV Golf's future as the league seeks new investment beyond the current season.

While fellow LIV star Bryson DeChambeau has taken an active role in meetings with potential investors alongside LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil, Rahm made it clear he prefers to focus on his golf.

"I know nothing about business," said Rahm of LIV's latest financial talks. 

"I'm never going to claim to know anything about business, and if I was in a business pitch, I would not know the first thing to say.

"My job is to play golf, and I'll say it's hard enough as it is, especially this week."

Rahm added that he appreciates the efforts of players willing to assist behind the scenes but suggested family commitments and his own priorities keep him away from such discussions.

"But if any player who knows what they're doing is willing to do certain things like that, I think it can only help.

"To have insight from a player on a meeting like that can help, and I'm open for any suggestions possible, but I would also say I don't have the free time that Bryson has to be flying around the country to attend meetings with three little ones and one on the way.

"Even if I wanted to, I don't know if I could do it."