Jon Rahm won’t be stepping into Rory McIlroy’s shoes on the PGA Tour’s policy board, after McIlroy’s sudden resignation as a player director was revealed. During a pre-tournament press conference in Dubai, where Rahm is participating in the DP World Tour’s finale, the 29-year-old Spaniard expressed surprise at the news and promptly dismissed any notion of taking on the role.
“Oh, you won’t see me there,” Rahm declared. “Absolutely no chance. I’ve been asked a couple times if I have any interest, and I’m not going to spend, I don’t know how many meetings they have, but they are six, seven, hour plus long. I’m not here for that.”
Rahm added, “As regards to Rory, he’s obviously been put in a situation where a lot has been expected of him, and I don’t know the exact reason why he left the board. But I certainly wouldn’t blame somebody like him to just want to focus a bit more on his game and his family and enjoy the bit of time he’s truly earned. Again, it’s a big commitment for somebody to be part of it.”
Rahm recently withdrew from McIlroy’s tech golf league, TGL, citing the impact on his performance due to the extra time demands. “Being part of the PAC and the chairman, it does require some time,” Rahm said. “I don’t know. I think it is a significant commitment, so it could have an effect. It’s not only the meetings. It’s the phone calls and the players wanting to talk to you. So those hours you spent on the golf course are a little bit busier. So, I think it could hinder a little bit, and there’s a reason probably why I can’t recall any great player being a full-time board member and winning tournaments and majors at the same time, at least in recent history. Maybe there was, maybe back one day on the PGA Tour.
“But I can see how the lack of sleep definitely will limit your ability to compete.”
In light of Rahm’s comments, it’s worth noting that a handful of player directors have won majors during their terms, with Stewart Cink being the last to do so in 2009, following Larry Mize in 1987. Other examples include Tom Lehman (1996), Davis Love III (1997), Mark O’Meara (1998) and Cink.
Source: NBC Sports
Daniel Miller takes readers to the greens with his passion for golf. He offers coverage of major golf tournaments, player achievements, and insights into the sport’s rich history, making him a trusted source for golf enthusiasts.
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