Jon Rahm believes Sergio Garcia’s legacy on the European Tour “could” be somewhat affected following his move to LIV Golf this year.
Garcia, 42, has won 16 times on the European Tour (now the DP World Tour) including a sole major title at The Masters in 2017.
But after moving to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Tour in June, Garcia has since decided to terminate his PGA Tour membership after THAT comment!
It also understood Garcia has now let his DP World Tour membership expire.
The latter decision would also mean his record European Ryder Cup career would come to an end.
While Rahm does not believe golf fans exactly care where his fellow Spaniard Garcia plays his golf these days, he does consider his move to LIV Golf will unlikely benefit his legacy moving forwards.
Related: LIV Golf RIPPED over Sergio Garcia post!
“I hope not,” said Rahm when pressed on whether Garcia’s legacy will be affected following his move to LIV Golf.
“It’s very unprecedented, right, what we’ve been dealing with in the game of golf, in the last — it hasn’t even been that long, what, six months. And there’s certainly going to be a before and after at some point, and there’s definitely some division going on.
“But I think to the core fans who have been fans of Sergio, I don’t think they care, really, where he plays. Some of them might but most of them I don’t really think they care. It still shouldn’ t change what he’s done in the game; what he’s done in The Ryder Cup, European Tour, PGA TOUR, shouldn’t be affected by where he decides to play golf, at least in my mind.
“It could have somewhat of an impact. I have a hard time believing a lot of those players are going to have a positive impact with their legacy right now. We don’t know what’s going to happen, but if it does, I hope it’s not a big one, let’s say it that way. He’s done a lot for the game of golf, so it would be sad to see that change.”
Related: Sergio Garcia responds to whether he has a problem with Rory McIlroy right now
Garcia was heavily fined for walking out of the BMW PGA Championship when giving no explanation for his WD.
He withdrew after just 18 holes in the flagship DP World Tour event of the season having shot an opening round of 76.
That tournament was reduced to 54 holes following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Garcia was later pictured with his wife Angela Akins Garcia 24 hours later pitch side at a University of Texas football game.
Eddie Pepperell said it was “pathetic”.
According to one DP World Tour player, Garcia also ranted to players that they were “all f*****” after the latest LIV Golf news.
This is something Garcia denies, though.
One golf analyst recently labeled Garcia as the “most unprofessional” golfer ever.
Rory McIlroy also told how he felt a “sense of “betrayal” from the likes of LIV Golf players such as Garcia.
Rahm recently denied a rumor on social media that he was about to join Garcia over on LIV Golf.
Related: Sergio Garcia has very likely just revealed the NEXT LIV Golf signing!
Elsewhere for Rahm today…
Rahm was officially presented with Honorary Life Membership of the DP World Tour by CEO Keith Pelley ahead of this week’s DP World Tour Championship.
He was given the honor after winning the 2021 US Open but because he was not able to participate in the DP World Tour Championship last season, Pelley made the presentation earlier today in front of GolfMagic and the rest of the golfing media.
Pelley said: “It is an honor to have a true star, superstar, a legend already that supports the DP World Tour and loves Europe and is really a game-changer any time he plays.
“So Jon, this is well overdue. This is merely the formality, the presentation of your Honorary Membership on the DP World Tour. Congratulations.”
Related: Rahm says this might be the first time the PGA Tour cares what players think
Rahm admitted it was an honor and privilege to now enter the European Tour’s record books.
“Well, you know, that’s something when I started my pro career, I didn’t know it was a possibility. But I think it was 2017 when I was playing in Valderrama, that Tuesday or Wednesday dinner hosted by Sergio’s foundation and he was presented, it might have been 2018, he was presented with the life — Honorary Life Membership, and I was present. I was present when he won the Masters and he was present when he was awarded with this great honor.
“To join the list of the icons that have earned it, it is truly an honor. I’ve said many times, any time in our small country, golf-wise, any time you can write your name in history next to some of the greatest that have accomplished this before me is very unique. To keep doing things like this, is a true honor to represent Spain. It’s a true honor to receive it, so thank you.”
England’s Matt Fitzpatrick was also presented with Honorary Life Membership on the DP World Tour this week, after emulating Rahm’s US Open triumph earlier this season.
Next Page: How to Watch the DP World Tour Championship
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