Rahm Returns to Irish Open Amid LIV Golf Uncertainty

There's something poetic about Jon Rahm returning to the wild Atlantic coast of Ireland this week, the wind howling off the Clare coastline as questions swirl about his professional future. The Spaniard has always seemed most at home in weather that would send lesser golfers scurrying for the clubhouse, and as LIV Golf navigates its own stormy waters, Rahm appears characteristically unfazed.

A Champion's Homecoming to Doonbeg

The Irish Open holds a special place in Rahm's heart. His maiden DP World Tour victory came at Portstewart in 2017, and he returned to triumph at nearby Lahinch in 2019. Now, at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, County Clare, he's chasing a third Irish Open title—an achievement that would place him alongside the legendary Seve Ballesteros.

When I spoke with locals in Doonbeg, the excitement was palpable. Rahm's brand of muscular, passionate golf resonates deeply with Irish galleries who appreciate both his talent and his temperament. The 31-year-old arrived to typically Irish conditions on Monday—wind and rain greeting him like old friends—and seemed genuinely delighted by the challenge ahead.

"It truly doesn't matter how my game feels right now," Rahm said with a laugh, recalling his 2019 Lahinch victory when his form felt off for the first two days before he somehow found his way to the winner's circle.

Navigating LIV's Turbulent Skies

The elephant in the room, of course, is LIV Golf's uncertain future. Following the withdrawal of financial backing from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and the cancellation of the team championship in Detroit, questions abound about what 2027 holds for the breakaway tour and its star players.

Rahm, ever the pragmatist, offered little in the way of concrete answers.

"Yes and no, it hasn't really changed from my last interview in Indianapolis a few weeks ago," he told BBC Sport when pressed about his future. "There's just a lot of things in place, right? There's a lot of things that could happen and it's one of those things where time's gonna tell."

When asked about the possibility of returning to the PGA Tour—a path that fellow major champions Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed have already chosen—Rahm offered only a diplomatic "we'll see what happens."

What struck me most, however, was his equanimity. "To be fair for us people that joined LIV, I'm pretty good at dealing with turbulence," he noted. It's a revealing comment from a player who has weathered criticism since his high-profile move before the 2024 season.

Form That Demands Attention

Whatever happens off the course, Rahm's game remains in exceptional shape. He won twice during the 2026 LIV season to claim his third consecutive season-long individual title, and he finished tied for second at the PGA Championship in May—proof that his major championship pedigree hasn't diminished.

His Legion XIII teammate Tyrrell Hatton has stated publicly that he expects LIV to continue next year, and both players will compete at next week's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth—the DP World Tour's flagship event—thanks to a deal struck earlier this year that allowed certain LIV players to compete without sanction. That agreement, notably, applies only to 2026.

The Week Ahead

For now, Rahm seems content to focus on the challenge at hand: mastering another links course on Ireland's rugged west coast. The weather forecast promises more of the same conditions that greeted him on Monday, which should suit a player who has proven time and again that he thrives when the elements conspire against the field.

Koepka and Reed are also in the Irish Open field, making for fascinating viewing as three former LIV stalwarts navigate their divergent paths at the same tournament.

Key Takeaways

Rahm is seeking a third Irish Open title to match Seve Ballesteros's record
LIV Golf's future remains uncertain following PIF's withdrawal of backing
The Spaniard won his third consecutive LIV individual title in 2026
His DP World Tour playing rights under the current deal expire after this year
Both Koepka and Reed have returned to the PGA Tour after leaving LIV