Jon Rahm's Olympics stance speaks volumes as LIV Golf star fires back at critics

Jon Rahm has revealed competing at the Olympic Games for Spain is 'a dream come true', after the former Masters champion hit back at criticism surrounding the golf event at the Games.

Rahm is one of two LIV Golf stars competing in Spanish colors in Paris next month, as he will also be joined by David Puig at Le Golf National. The importance of the Olympics in professional golf has raised plenty of debate since its return in 2016, but the Spaniard is firmly behind the idea.

Asked what it means to compete at the Games, Rahm told reporters at LIV UK on Tuesday: "It is a different answer I would say for a lot of golfers. It is not something we grew up knowing was a possibility.

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"I think right now for a light of people it might not have the significance right now that it might have in the future. I think for us competing it is one of the most impressive feats in sport. To win a gold medal is something only a few people in history are able to do.

"To be able to add to your country's medal count is something special, so basically it is a dream come true. It is a dream that came true eight years ago for us, so it is quite special." Rahm already has quite the CV, having won 11 times on the PGA Tour and 10 times on the DP World Tour, as well as being crowned Masters champion in 2023.

Due to golf's lack of Olympic showing throughout history though, the Spaniard believes it is hard to rank a gold medal against these accolades. Asked where a win in Paris would sit in his list of achievements, Rahm said: "I don't know. It is a hard question to answer... if you ask me the same question next week I will be able to tell you."

One key question mark surrounding golf at the Games has been whether it has a place in the professional game, with many sports only open to amateurs on the Olympic stage. When it comes to his sport, Rahm is not convinced. "Oh come on," the former Masters champion claimed.

"So Michael Phelps isn’t a professional, LeBron James isn’t a professional? I think that is a comedic argument. Did Neymar win the gold medal for his country? So I don’t know where that argument came from. If the Olympics want to have an impactful sport with viewership, you will have to have the most impactful players.

“Whilst I understand the argument for amateur golf, and that it is supposed to be for amateurs, most of the greats you remember from the Olympics are not amateurs. They are professionals already.” Before his trip to France, Rahm's concentration lies with LIV, who are hosting their UK event at JCB Country and Golf Club for the first time this week. The Spaniard will be hoping to secure his first individual win, having won three team titles with his Legion XIII franchise.