MEXICO CITY -- Jon Rahm is navigating the unpredictable waters of LIV Golf without missing a beat, showcasing his skills at the LIV Golf Mexico event. Following an impressive second round, Rahm took a one-shot lead, demonstrating resilience even as questions loom about the future of LIV Golf.
After a challenging performance at the Masters, Rahm came back strong with a 4-under 67, adding to his opening round of 65 as he led the competition at Chapultepec Golf Club. Rahm emphasized the importance of preparation and a bit of luck in the pursuit of victory, stating, "It takes a lot to win, and you also need a little bit of luck. I'm clearly playing good enough, I just need to take advantage of the opportunities I've been giving myself."
As Rahm aims for success, he finds himself ahead of notable competitors including Matthew Wolff, Tom McKibbin, and Harold Varner III, all of whom have made significant advances in the tournament. Wolff and McKibbin each shot rounds of 65, while Varner recorded a score of 66.
Adding to the excitement of the event, uncertainty regarding LIV Golf’s funding has become a hot topic. Speculation emerged earlier in the week regarding the future stability of the league, especially in relation to its key financial backer, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund. In a memo to staff, LIV Golf's CEO Scott O'Neil assured that the 2026 season would proceed "without interruption and at 'full throttle.'"
Despite the challenges, O'Neil painted a confident picture in an interview with TNT Sports, amplifying the intrigue surrounding the league. He remarked on the financial landscape for the league, stating, "The reality is that you're funded through the season, and then you work like crazy as a business to create a business and a business plan to keep us going... But that's not different from any other private equity-funded business in the history of mankind."
Earlier, in another assessment, O'Neil expressed optimism about LIV Golf's direction, citing rising ticket sales and team sponsorships. He expects profitability for a majority of the teams and events. "Given the momentum of this business, we're really excited about where we are and the position where we are," O'Neil asserted.
As Rahm remains focused on his game, he isn’t letting outside distractions interfere with his performance. Referring to his improved game, he noted, "I wouldn't say surprised. I put a lot of work in in the off-season. It's just nice to see it all unfold as well as it has. I would just say in general, everything is a little bit better than it was last year, possibly two years ago, as well."
Rahm's enhanced performance could be attributed to his improved play on par-5 holes. He mentioned, "I'm hitting it better off the tee, so it all starts with that on a par-5 where you've got to put it in play. Once you're in play, I'm long enough to have a comfortable number usually into the par-5s, and I think that's been the main difference."
As he wraps up another day at the tournament, Rahm shared his plans for the afternoon: "Neither one of those two things, I can promise you that. Even though I do look like I would enjoy some chocolate milk, I don't know. I'm going to get back, sign some autographs here, get back and see how I feel before I decide to do anything."
