Masters champions Jon Rahm demands LIV Golf make one major rule change

Reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm has called on LIV Golf to abandon its controversial 54-hole format to help unify the sport.

The 29-year-old will look to defend his Masters title this weekend as one of the favorites at Augusta when the golf mega-event gets underway, although he has since switched allegiance to LIV Golf.

A distinct difference from the PGA Tour, where events are played over four rounds, LIV competitions have no cut and are played over 54 holes – a dramatic decrease from the PGA’s 72 holes.

And Rahm, who signed a £450 million deal in December with LIV, criticized the Saudi-based organization and demanded a radical change to the rules, insisting the duration of the 54 holes should be that of the traditional 72-hole format.

Speaking to BBC Sport, the Spaniard said: “If there was a way for LIV to get to 72 holes, I think that would help this whole argument a lot.

“The closer I think we can bring LIV Golf to other things, the better. I think it would be some sort of unification to fuel a world tour or something like that.

“I don’t know if I’m alone in this, but I certainly wouldn’t mind going back to 72 holes.”

Rahm criticized the format before defecting to LIV late last year, although the 54 holes were its main selling point.

LIV’s name is based on the Roman numerals 54 while the league has organized tournaments comprising 54 players.

In addition to the shortened course, some of the other attractions presented to potential participants include guaranteed cash prizes during play, shotgun starts, team golf and less manic schedules.

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It helped them prize away some of the PGA Tour’s biggest players, including Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and Cam Smith, while Rahm’s own decision to sign for the Saudi-based track added a huge star to their roster.

Rahm claimed victory at last year’s Masters, beating Brooks Koepka and Mickelson by four shots to finish the tournament at 12 under par and earn his first green jacket.

“To go back and know that you’re a champion and you have an idea of ​​how to get things done and the confidence that you know you can do it again is always an added bonus,” Rahm added.

“It will be a little different being defending champion but I should also have a little more motivation.”

The Masters begins on Thursday and will feature top golfers from around the world. You can get all the information, including start times, standings and how to follow the first major tournament of the year, here on talkSPORT.

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