Jon Rahm’s Anguish Grows as Desperate ‘Unification’ Plea Gets Cold-Shouldered by LIV Golf

Jon Rahm’s Green Jacket defense didn’t go as planned. It seems like the Spaniard’s appeal for unification is headed for the same fate. The 11-time PGA Tour winner opined that LIV Golf might change to a 72-hole format if that’s needed for the merger to happen. “If there ever was a way where LIV could go to 72 holes, I think it would help all of this argument a lot,” Rahm said in response to unification and having a joint world Tour.

Phil Mickelson also had faith in the possibility of reaching a compromise. If that happens, Lefty wouldn’t be surprised. But Talor Gooch totally rejects the idea. Rather, the 32-year-old snaps back, dubbing 72-hole as an “arbitrary” number.

Talor Gooch disregards Rahm’s trade-off plan

Gooch, in a chat with Bunkered, unequivocally supported the 54-hole format. The 2023 Player of the Year for LIV Golf believes that 3-day events are more thrilling. The Oklahoma star wondered why the 72-hole format is accepted as a tradition. 

“And just my opinion, through my experience of 54 holes, it just appears to be more exciting. It’s just funny to me, this arbitrary number of 72. Why is it not 90? Why is it not 108? We just decided to make that number the number, for what reason?” Traditionally, a 72-hole event means golfers have two days and 36 holes to make the cut. The title will then be claimed for another two days.

Notably, Gooch had previously spoken in favor of the 54-hole, no-cut format. Back in December, Gooch admitted that the PIF-funded side has yet to have a discussion on the matter. If and when that happens, there will be two different viewpoints. Gooch told Australian Golf Digest, “I think LIV Golf was meant to be something different; I think it’s not supposed to be a carbon copy of the rest of professional golf. I lean towards keeping it at 54 holes.”

Gooch’s opinions are not backed by numbers, though. LIV Golf, in its third season, has also struggled to expand its core fanbase. Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, and Anthony Kim’s arrival haven’t paid off in that regard. Regardless, what Gooch’s comments do evince is that there are differences within LIV Golf, just as players on the PGA Tour have differed on a lot of issues. 

Why this might delay the PGA Tour – LIV Golf merger further

PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan met PGA Tour player directors last month. While the meeting has been dubbed positive, even by Tiger Woods, they have also revealed that Al-Rumayyan’s vision for the future of golf differs from what the PGA Tour has in mind. Also, add to that the thorny issue of bringing LIV golfers back.

Some, inducing Rory McIlroy, feel the quicker they are brought back, without punishment, if need be, into the Tour the better. Dwindling TV ratings for the PGA Tour have left many under concern. On the other hand, players like Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler, and even the reigning Masters champion, Scottie Scheffler, argue those who defected must face some sort of repercussion. 

Now, Jon Rahm has never shied away from admitting that he indeed missed playing in some PGA Tour events. However, Talor Gooch showed that some players within the Saudi-backed side might not be too eager to come back and play in a 72-hole format. Moreover, LIV Golf derives its name from the number ‘54’. Will it still be ‘LIV’ if it moves to ‘LXXII’ (72) holes?