“Want to Give Credit”: Jon Rahm Remains Grateful to Phil Mickelson for Lending a Helping Hand

Not everyone will be fortunate enough to get a one-on-one lesson from Phil Mickelson but Caleb Surratt could because of his captain’s request. Despite having camaraderie with one of the hardest hitters on LIV Golf, aka Bryson DeChambeau, the Legion XII captain was grateful to Mickelson for his extended help for his teammate.

According to the moderator, DeChambeau might have helped Surratt if Rahm had asked but as his friendship got longer and stronger with Lefty, he wanted to take advantage of it and as Mickelson’s character had been in his career, he never “turn [sic] anybody down” to help them out on the golf course whenever he could get the time.

Jon Rahm shares the unseen side of Phil Mickelson 

Before LIV Golf starts its fourth game of the season at the Sheung Shui in Hong Kong, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau answered some interesting questions at the pre-match presser. One of them was Phil Mickelson giving Caleb Surratt a driving lesson. When Rahmbo was asked if LIV Golf camaraderie played a role in that, the 4-time major champion had a slightly opposing answer.

“To be fair to Phil, he’s been willing to help anybody way before LIV Golf,” said Rahm about his eagerness to help young blood. Over the years, Mickelson has helped many in the golf world, like Rahm, becoming a big brother to Akshay Bhatia, and helping Mark Baldwin to prepare for Q-school. Rahm pressed, “Anybody that’s gone up to him and asked for a lesson, for the most part, he’s given it to them.”

Henceforth, he wanted to credit Lefty for guidance and generosity. He said, “I want to give credit to him in that sense. I’ve never seen him turn anybody down. If he has time, he’ll do it.” And Rahm expressed, that he was trying to take advantage of their friendship for a lesson for Surratt. Nonetheless, it was “tough for it to pay a little bit more dividends in that sense” for Rahm.

He was extremely grateful to Mickelson and thought, “When you’re a good player like Phil and somebody is encouraged to learn from you, it’s nice to be able to help somebody out.” The friendship with Mickelson helped Rahm this time but recently it has been under fire for influencing Spanaird’s LIV Golf move.

Was Lefty behind Jon Rahm’s recruitment to LIV? 

If this unnamed PGA Tour pro is to be believed, yes, Phil Mickelson’s friendship may have influenced Rahm’s LV Golf decision. In an interview with Golf Digest, this pro claimed that Rahm “ fell for whatever Phil Mickelson was selling him.” And although Rahm had explained before that Mickelson did not have an iota of influence on his LIV Golf move, the insider said, “We don’t believe that one bit.”

Read More: ‘If You’re in a Dark Place..’: Jon Rahm’s Sensitive Side Revealed by LIV Golf Teammate in Heartfelt Confession

Rahm and Mickelson’s friendship, off course is well known in the world of golf. Further, the two LIV pros are well-acquitted and have the same managing company. The pro would not be wrong to believe but there is no proof of Lefty manipulating Rahm. What are your thoughts on the matter? Was it Rahm’s individual choice to defect or was it more of a two-man work?

Read More: The Surprise Truth Behind Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson’s Rivalry Exposed by Ex-teammate: ‘Totally Fine Together’