Jon Rahm says he is glad he "never got into the feud" with LIV Golf or any of its players, admitting a protracted war of words could have taken a toll on his game.
Rory McIlroy has been one of the Saudi-funded league's biggest critics, taking on the role as de facto voice of the PGA Tour. The Northern Irishman said his off-course duties were affecting his golf following a missed cut at the Players Championship, and has now decided to swerve questions pertaining to LIV altogether as he attempts to rediscover his best form ahead of the second men's Major of the year.
Rahm, on the other hand, has steered clear of any controversy, insisting he was "the wrong player to ask" when probed about the current standing between members from rival tours.
"I never got into the feud," Rahm said. "I've never had any negative feelings towards any player that went over to LIV. In fact, I've mentioned many times I still play with many of them and still try to play practice rounds with Phil, played with Talor Gooch yesterday. Really doesn't make a difference to me.
"Obviously there's some things in life, some values that I believe in that I might judge if you compromise, but that is your choice to do with your career. It's your life, it's your family. You do whatever you want. From that point of view, I'm nobody to tell them what to do. That's why I would never get emotionally invested in it.
"I would say if it was me, I could possibly be invested in a little bit of time and energy on to a feud that's not necessarily player versus player. I don't have a personal issue with them, and there's no reason for me to make it. But yeah, I think it would, over a year, take some energy out of you."
As for the future of the men's professional game as we approach the one-year anniversary of the inaugural LIV event at the Centurion Club just outside of London, Rahm added that how it will all shake out is a matter of perspective.
"I have no idea," Rahm said, when asked what men's pro golf would look like in the future. "I wouldn't be able to tell you. It all depends who you talk to. If you talk to a LIV player, this is going to be great, it's only going to get better. You talk to people on the other side, in two years they're going to be done. I really couldn't tell you.
"I have no clue. I really have no clue. I really don't know what to say. Obviously they're trying their hardest to be a little bit different, and it could pay off or not. I really don't know."
