Sergio Garcia was on hand with some words of wisdom for Jon Rahm as the LIV Golf tour landed at the notoriously testing Real Club Valderrama, admitting he has had "tougher" days on the course .
The Spanish compatriots returned to their homeland to take part in the event at the iconic Andalusian venue, with the pair experiencing contrasting fortunes in the opening round. While Garcia fired a two-under 69 to put him within touching distance of frontrunner Dean Burmester, Rahm carded a 73.
After making his stunning $500 million switch to the breakaway Saudi Arabian circuit at the turn of the year, the latter is yet to record a win on the tour. Looking to offer up some advice to his countryman as they showcased their talents at Valderrama, Garcia offered his recollections of the conversation with his fellow star in the first round.
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He has been open about his love for the course in the past, even declaring it to be his "favorite" place to tee off on the planet. Having previously won the Andalucia Masters there in 2011, 2017 and 2018, he provided some counsel for his rival, saying: "I was talking to Jon a lot.
"And I said to him early on, I think it was like on the second or third hole. I said, 'you can definitely see the teeth at Valderrama today'. I said 'not probably the whole mouth but you can definitely see the teeth', he continued, as he recalled Rahm's response, saying: "He was like, 'You don't think this is the whole mouth?'"
In a telling remark, he then added: "I was like, 'No, I've played tougher than this'. It was up there [in terms of difficulty]. It was solid. But I probably would say that the other wind, as hard as this, is probably a tougher wind to play the golf course."
Going into more detail about his own display as Rahm's struggles on the LIV tour continued on home soil, Garcia said: "It was probably one of the best putting rounds I've ever had as a professional. Just every time I stood over a putt, I just felt like could I make it.
"You don't get days like that too often but certainly I don't. I managed to hit a lot of good shots as well. It was a special day and to be playing with Branden [Grace] and Charl [Schwartzel] and to enjoy that with them was super cool."
Meanwhile, Rahm has been on the receiving end of some criticism over the course of the year as a result of his form across 2024. Among his detractors is Eamon Lynch, who said: "The game just hasn't been there. Perhaps it's a coincidence that it's happened after he went to LIV Golf.
"You know, every one has slump years and maybe this is just his. But to me, a guy who finished tied second in The Open last year [and] going back there this year having performed pretty miserably by his standards in major championships, to me, is the storyline."
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