Jon Rahm calls for match play to remain on golfing calendar: ‘Much more relatable to every other sport’ | Golf News

Jon Rahm laments the end of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, with the tournament ending after this week’s edition; watch live on Sky Sports Golf on Wednesday from 2.15pm; Rahm has commented on the proposed rule changes in golf; Rickie Fowler wants to qualify for The Masters

World No. 2 Jon Rahm is hoping a matchplay event remains on the PGA Tour calendar, with the Spaniard saying the competition associates golf “much better with any other sport”.

This week’s 64-man WCG-Dell Technologies matchplay in Texas – which saw Rahm grouped with Rickie Fowler, Billy Horschel and Keith Mitchell – is the last before the tournament is scrapped.

Players will compete individually over the first three days in a round-robin format, with the winners of the 16 groups qualifying for the weekend’s knockout stages, culminating in the finals on Sunday afternoon.

Rahm said: “I’m excited. I love match play. It is a pity that this is the last edition of this tournament. I’m hoping that maybe it’s just a one year deal and we schedule a matchplay event again.

“It’s really the only time a year, apart from maybe the Ryder Cup, where you actually play the person in front of you.

“It’s much more relatable to any sport that we play in the world, which is basically just about playing better than the team at the top.

Rahm: I don’t know what the solution is

“I am sure there is a solution to this. I’m sure there is a way out because I think we should have a matchplay event every season.

“I just don’t know what that solution is to make it fun enough all Sunday or weekend in general.

“[For players] Often with good golf you can lose your first two games, you have no way of qualifying and you still have to show up and play on Friday or it could affect the group.

“There are so many reasons someone might not like it. I just enjoy matchplay. Win or lose, it’s a different way of doing things and I think it’s really fun.”

Rahm on Proposed Rule Changes in Golf: Why Change What Works?

Rahm was also asked about the proposed rule changes from the R&A and the United States Golf Association last week that could limit how far the golf ball flies.

He said: “They are focused on making professional golf a little bit more difficult than it already is. I do not know why.

“There’s a lot of things you can do to make it harder for us – golf course design, course construction, all those great things.

“We’re in a golden era of golf where it’s exploded since Covid, a lot of people are watching, you have a completely different tour, all these things are happening for the game and it’s growing. Why change what works?

“I think there are other things that can be done other than changing the technology of the game to make it more challenging for us.

“That would be my suggestion to them. With different golf course design nowadays you can neglect a lot of distance.”

Fowler wants to secure a place at The Masters

Rahm’s group stage opponent, Fowler, needs to reach the Quarterfinals of Match Play to climb back into the world top 50 and qualify for The Masters in August National in April.

Fowler, currently 59th in the rankings, fell as low as world number 160 before rediscovering his form when the 34-year-old finished 13th on The Players earlier this month.

The Californian said: “My short-term goal is to naturally settle back into Augusta. If that doesn’t happen, we’ll keep moving forward and we’ll be in a good position

“I’ve learned a lot over the last few years. I wish it was shorter but at the same time everyone goes through ups and downs and it’s a bit more about what you learn and how you come back from it.

“It was definitely a lot better to be able to build some momentum and ultimately build some confidence.

“The last couple of weeks I really haven’t been feeling that great with the momentum, but I’m doing a lot better at salvaging what might be a bad lap or a bad week and somehow making these better than where they were, whether it’s a missed cut or the end of the pack.

“I’m looking forward to getting the momentum back to where I’m feeling better and looking forward to when things start to feel really good.”

Watch the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play 2023 live on Sky Sports between Wednesday and Sunday. Coverage of day one begins Wednesday from 2.15pm on Sky Sports Golf.