Jon Rahm surprises: he opposes the new Liv golf rules and predicts great changes for the 2025 season

May 1, 2025 – Jon Rahm, the Spanish golf star and one of the most prominent names of Liv Golf, has surprised everyone with a strong statement opposing the recent changes of tournament rules. With the 2025 season in full peak, Rahm not only expressed his discontent, but also predicted that these changes could lead to an important review in the operation of Liv Golf.

Background: controversial changes

Liv Golf, a tournament sponsored by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, has announced a series of changes in the game rules before the 2025 season, which include:

• Increase the number of participating golfers: 48 to 54 people, with 13 teams (4 people each) and 2 guest golfers.
• Change in the team score: the three best cards are counted in the first two rounds, but the four cards are counted in the final round.
• Distribution of individual points: The golfers with the same results will receive the same number of points, similar to traditional tournaments.
• Individual classification and descent: the 24 best golfers retain their places for the next season, while those classified between 25 and 48 must sign with their teams, and those classified in 49th place and below must participate in a classification to return.

Liv Golf is promoting these changes as an effort to increase competition and attract spectators. However, Jon Rahm, who won the individual Golf Liv 2024 championship, has been Franco in his criticisms of reforms.

In an interview after the Round of the LIV Golf Mexico City 2025, where he signed 64 and finished second, Rahm did not hesitate to express his opinion:

I think these changes complicate things unnecessarily. Liv Golf has always been attractive with its simple and fast format. Adding players, changing the points of the teams and implementing a descent system could subtract essence to the tournament. If we want to compete with the PGA Tour, we need a clear direction, no half changes.

Rahm also emphasized that these changes could put unnecessary pressure on golfers, especially on newcomers or teams that seek stability. He predicted:

If Liv Golf continues to adjust the rules in this way, I think that the 2025 season will experience an important restructuring. It could be the return to the format of 54 holes, or even a total change in the way the tournament is organized. I am not sure what will happen, but it is evident that the golf community questions the current address.

Golf community reaction

Rahm’s statement has caused a heated debate in golf forums and social networks. Some fans support their opinion and argue that Liv Golf should focus on maintaining their unique format (54 holes, without cuts) instead of trying to imitate traditional tournaments. An X post wrote:

Rahm is right! Liv Golf should maintain its format of 54 holes and its unique equipment structure. Do not try to be the second PGA Tour!

However, there are also opinions that Rahm is trying to exert pressure to remodel Liv Golf in a way that benefits him and his team Legion XIII. Some analysts point out that, as an individual champion of 2024 and one of Liv Golf’s biggest stars, Rahm’s voice has considerable weight.

Predicting the future

Rahm is not the first to ask for changes in the Liv Golf format. Previously, he proposed to change to a format of 72 holes to be closer to the main tournaments and help Liv Golf golfists easily accumulate points of the world golf (OWGR) ranking, a controversial issue when Liv Golf is not recognized by Owgr. However, this time, it seems to want Liv Golf to return to its roots, focusing on innovation instead of following traditional standards.

Rahm’s prediction about “great changes” in the 2025 season could include:

• Fusion negotiations with the PGA Tour: Rahm has expressed its hope of a fusion between Liv Golf and the PGA Tour, saying that “there is enough love for golf worldwide so that everyone has a place to play.”
• Liv Golf format renewal: it could be a return to a format of 54 holes or a simplification of the equipment of the equipment to increase the attractiveness.
• Increase the benefits of players: RAHM may be pressing to obtain more flexible contractual terms or guaranteed benefits for players for the descent.

Conclude

Jon Rahm’s statement is not only a protest but also a warning about the future of Liv Golf. With his influence, he is asking important questions about the direction of the tour in the middle of an increasingly fierce competition with the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. Will Liv Golf listen and adapt or continue on his current path? The 2025 season promises to be a dramatic year for both Rahm and Liv Golf.

References:

• Ten Golf: Information on Liv Golf format changes.
• Brand: RAHM reacts to the 2024 season and the plans for 2025.
• X Publications on Rahm’s opinions.