Golf analysts are increasingly questioning whether playing in the LIV Golf League is impacting the major championship performances of Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. After both golfers came close but ultimately missed out on the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, falling short in the final holes, debates have surfaced about whether LIV’s unique format adequately prepares its players for the most high-pressure moments in golf.
The LIV Golf League features smaller fields and 54-hole events, quite different from the traditional four-round format of major tournaments and the PGA Tour. This difference has caused notable analysts to raise concerns:
- Brandel Chamblee (Golf Channel) highlighted the importance of regularly facing the world’s elite, suggesting that LIV players lack this rigorous test.
- Paul McGinley noted that LIV’s team events and easier course setups may mean players are less “battle-tested” for the intensity of major championships.
Chamblee drew a comparison with Scottie Scheffler, emphasizing the advantage of consistent competition at the highest level. Meanwhile, McGinley invoked the popular sporting military metaphor: “Under pressure, you don’t rise to the occasion, you sink to the level of your training.”
While some argue that LIV’s structure may be a disadvantage, there are important counterexamples:
- Brooks Koepka has won a major since joining LIV.
- Bryson DeChambeau himself has delivered five top-six finishes in his last six starts at majors, showing consistent contention.
However, following Jon Rahm’s latest struggles, commentators like Ewen Murray (Sky Sports) question whether Rahm’s intensity has dulled since his move to LIV, noting a decline from his once-dominant major performances.
As Rahm and DeChambeau head toward the season’s next majors, including DeChambeau’s return as defending U.S. Open champion, the golf world waits to see:
- Will the LIV League’s format allow its stars to finally achieve major success?
- Or are they destined to repeatedly come up just short?
Golf fans worldwide will be attentive at the next tee-off, eager to see if Rahm and DeChambeau can silence their critics, or if these doubts will persist into the heart of the championship season.
For more details, read the original article on Sky Sports.
