Does Jon Rahm’s drop in the world rankings warrant any alarm? Few names have had as much of an impact on the constantly changing professional golf scene as Jon Rahm’s. With two major titles—the 2021 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines and the 2023 Masters at Augusta—the fiery Spaniard has established an outstanding career and solidified his place among the greatest of all time.

Yet, amid continuing talks to merge LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, Rahm has fallen to a surprising low, falling out of the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) for the first time since 2017. The announcement has caused a stir among fans and commentators, with many attributing Rahm’s downfall to his choice of joining LIV. Recently, however, an insider has firmly defended Rahm. Let’s explore more to find out more about the person and his perspectives!

Renowned sports psychologist stands for Jon Rahm

Rahm’s close advisor and prominent sports psychologist, Dr. Bhrett McCabe, recently responded to the assessment of the golfer’s performance. While speaking with Dan Rapaport on the ‘Dan on Golf’ YouTube channel, Dr. McCabe provided some information about Rahm’s current circumstances. “Jon kind of calls me his life coach… I’ve actually never done a whole lot with him on the golf course,” Dr. McCabe stated, outlining his involvement in Rahm’s career. He highlighted that Rahm’s need for transformation and fresh challenges was the driving force behind his choice to join LIV Golf, asserting, “LIV was about a change in demands in life… and Jon has handled it beautifully.”

Dr. McCabe was forthright in his response to the online criticism and conjectures on Rahm’s possible regrets, saying, “I hate to hear when I see bot accounts or fake accounts… talking about regret.” He brought attention to the “inadequacies and inaptitudes” in leadership and the rise of “an immovable force” such as LIV Golf, highlighting the complexity of the modern golf industry. Rahm’s performance in important competitions has been one of the main targets of criticism. To support Rahm, Dr. McCabe explained the difficulties he encountered, including having to leave Pinehurst because of a serious foot infection and the demands of defending a championship at Augusta, which entails important ceremonial stuff. “A bogus argument by somebody sitting in the peanut stand throwing stuff,” he noted, dismissing the allegations and highlighting the unlikeliness of consistently performing well in Majors.

Additionally, Dr. McCabe commended Rahm’s management of his professional and personal lives, emphasizing his connections to elite athletes like Larry Fitzgerald, JJ Watt, and Michael Phelps. Rahm’s robust and well-rounded worldview is a result of both this varied support network and a solid familial base. Dr. McCabe reaffirmed Rahm’s position at the end, saying, “Jon’s one of the best players in the world… and he’s managed it brilliantly.” Despite Dr. McCabe’s defense of Rahm’s path, the data indicates that his OWGR decline is approaching an unwelcome milestone. Let’s find out!

Rahm gets closer to an undesirable world ranking record

Rahm might hit an unwanted milestone as the golf industry anticipates future events like the Genesis Invitational and LIV Adelaide: dropping lower in the OWGR. Considering Rahm’s prior supremacy, including his rise to the top of the world rankings in 2020, this possible drop is especially unexpected.

This drop has been caused by several factors. Although Rahm’s move to LIV Golf in December 2023 was financially advantageous, it has restricted his ability to accrue OWGR points because the league’s competitions now provide fewer points than those of the PGA Tour. His performance and event involvement have also been affected by a slew of injuries and unanticipated difficulties.

Despite these disappointments, Rahm is not giving up. “I’m happy with my decision and excited about what’s ahead for my team and the league,” he stated in an update, expressing confidence in his choice to join LIV Golf and excitement for the future. Rahm’s determination and commitment indicate that he is well-positioned to overcome these obstacles and solidify his place among the top players in the game as the golf industry changes.

Although Jon Rahm’s recent decline in the OWGR is significant, it’s important to take into account the larger picture of his professional decisions and outside variables affecting his play. With his team and experts like Dr. McCabe by his side, Rahm is prepared to overcome these obstacles and keep striving for success in the world of professional golf.