Jon Rahm to reporter at PGA Championship: "It had nothing to do with LIV Golf"

Jon Rahm says his lacklustre performances in the major championships over the last two years has nothing to do with his move to LIV Golf.

Rahm shocked the world of sport in December 2023 when he jumped to the PIF-backed league for a reported £450m ($566.4m). 

The Spaniard had previously pledged his 'fealty' to the PGA Tour and declared his life would not change if he were to accept the riches of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment fund. 

He has not truly been in contention to win a major championship since the move but he told reporters after getting into contention on moving day at the PGA Championship there was a simple explanation. 

"Me going to LIV and playing worse in majors had nothing to do with where I was playing golf," Rahm told reporters at Quail Hollow Club after he went round in 4-under 67. 

"My swing was simply not at the level it had to be for me to compete.

"It's easier to post a score on non-major championship courses and venues, and I think when you get to the biggest stages like this one and these courses, those flaws are going to get exposed, and it did.

"There's been weeks where I was able to play better, like The Open last year. 

"The Masters [in 2024] obviously wasn't a good start, but it got better as the week went on, and I'm still working and trying to get my swing to a better spot."

Rahm added: "But I would say even 2023, after winning The Masters, I did not play good at all until the Ryder Cup, right?

"So, I think the problems began earlier than people think. But I'm now getting closer to a position of being comfortable. I think this week so far and this round has been a show of it."

Jon Rahm's caddie has perfect line

Rahm's third round contained seven birdies and three bogeys. 

His approach into the 11th was way off line and clattered into a spectator. 

At first, it appeared Rahm's golf ball hit the poor soul directly on the head. 

Replays showed that it in fact came off the man's shoulder. 

Rahm made a bogey on the hole but was quick to apologise. He signed a glove and gave the spectator a hug. 

"After I hit it and we saw the ball bounce out, which I haven't seen a ball ricochet like that in a while," Rahm said of the moment.  

"I mean, if it was a driver, you would expect it [too], but for a 6-iron, I mean, that thing came in sideways quick.

"I told Adam [Hayes], well, get the Sharpie ready because I'm going to have to give him something, like a signed glove.

"His response was, 'That may not be enough.'"

Rahm continued: "I'm like, I don't know what else you want me to give him, right. We were kind of sorting through things between golf clubs and golf balls. 

"I don't think a glove and a tee is going to cut it. He took it great. 

"I told him, if he was European and grew up playing soccer, football, and he just aimed a little bit better, maybe just get it closer to the hole, but besides that he definitely -- it's a weird moment. 

"Sometimes when that happens and they're not hurt, they are so excited because they know we are going to go there and just have a five-minute conversation, and yeah, he took it great and he was a great sport about it."