The PGA Tour Policy Board saw an abrupt departure on November 14, with Rory McIlroy standing down as a player-director due to “professional and personal commitments”. A few hours later in Dubai, another champion golfer spoke to the media, elaborating on why he understood the reason behind McIlroy’s decision.

As Jon Rahm addressed a press conference ahead of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, a bitter truth about greats like Tiger Woods – a player-director in the PGA Tour Policy Board – was hinted upon. It’s not easy to wear two hats; being in administration and winning titles – Majors to be precise.

Jon Rahm digs deeper

Tiger Woods hasn’t won a PGA Tour title since his triumph at the 2019 Masters. Earlier this year, golf’s most influential voice agreed to join the Tour Policy Board as a sixth player-director. Jon Rahm wasn’t directly speaking about Woods, but one has to read between the lines. He was asked about McIlroy’s decision to step down, when the World No. 3 touched upon a bigger picture.

The great players and legends of golf aren’t necessarily winning more while serving a dual role. “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,” Rahm told reporters.

The golfers on the Policy Board of the PGA Tour have many other things to do rather than just concentrating on their own game. Plus, there’s a school of thought that they have been handing competitive advantage to the rest. “But I can see how the lack of sleep definitely will limit your ability to compete,” said Rahm. He mentioned stress – hours that are being spent in meetings and phone calls. “You won’t see me there. Absolutely no chance,” the two-time Major winner added emphatically.

Tiger Woods is suffering

In the grand scheme of things, the harsh reality is that even for Woods, 47, and arguably golf’s greatest player along with Jack Nicklaus, it might not be possible to win more, while having the added responsibility. Rahm, ostensibly, has been seeing it that way. McIlroy, too, hasn’t won a Major for almost a decade now, although he finished second at the last year’s Masters.

Read more: “We Have a Duty”: Jon Rahm Divulges His Role in the United Cause Towards Tiger Woods’ PGA Tour Policy Board Entry

Earlier in the day, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan revealed in a memo to members that the World No.2 has resigned from the Policy Board. It came at a time when the Tour has been trying to finalize an agreement to create a new commercial enterprise involving Saudi Arabia’s national wealth fund.

Watch this story: ‘Jay’s Threats’: Amid the Rory McIlroy Shocker, LIV Golf Advocate Phil Mickelson Throws a Tight Punch at the PGA Tour