Jon Rahm admits it’s been ‘difficult’ to not defend his PGA Tour titles from last season as Spaniard aims to retain his Masters crown next month after $500m switch to LIV Golf

Jon Rahm was unable to defend his PGA Tour championships from last season due to his $500 million defection to LIV Golf. And the Spaniard said it had been “difficult” not to participate in these tournaments.

Rahm’s move to the Saudi-backed LIV was a game-changer in golf, as the Spaniard was the highest-ranked golfer to make the jump to No. 3 in the world.

While legends such as Phil Mickelson have capitalized on their past accomplishments to sign a lucrative contract, Rahm has not only switched allegiances due to his past victories, but also the potential for additional victories he can bring to the LIV camp .

Rahm won The Sentry, Genesis Invitational and The American Express during the 2023 PGA slate, but was ineligible to retain his titles due to the suspension of PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan.

Rahm’s first chance to defend a championship he won in 2023 will be the biggest tournament of all, the Masters, which takes place next month.

The Spaniard will finally have a chance to retain a 2023 victory next month at the Masters

“I’m not going to lie; For everyone who said it would be easy, some things have been, but not being able to defend some titles that mean a lot to me hasn’t been,” Rahm said Tuesday.

“I love Palm Springs – I was able to win there twice,” Rahm continued. “Riviera is about as charismatic a golf course as we are. It’s definitely a fantastic week for many of us, and it’s a fan and player favorite. Not being there was difficult.

“I’ve always watched the show. I still watch golf because I love watching it, but it’s tough,” Rahm added. “It was tough not being at the Phoenix Open at the end of February, and it was tough not being in Hawaii ‘I because it’s another tournament that my family enjoys, and I did fantastic things.’

There hasn’t been a new winner at the Masters since Tiger Woods achieved the feat in 2001 and 2002.

Only Jack Nicklaus in 1965 and 1966 and Nick Faldo in 1989 and 1990 had done it before Woods.

“I think just being at the Masters and being a major, it’s already a different week,” Rahm said. “I don’t know if I would have (defended wins in other tournaments), and I’ll think about those tournaments I didn’t defend in. It’s done. It’s in the past.

“It’s a decision I made and I’m comfortable with it. But I hope I can come back, and I hope I can also defend (at the Masters), Rahm continued. “It would be a dream come true. Not many consecutive champions, and it would be very unique to be able to put my name on that list.