Jon Rahm: Rory McIlroy’s stand against LIV and performances ‘incredible’ | Fears

Jon Rahm has hailed Rory McIlroy’s efforts as ‘incredible’ on and off the golf course this year

World No 5 Jon Rahm has hailed Rory McIlroy’s stand against LIV Golf in tandem with his golfing performances this year, and admits he is worried for the legacy of fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia.

McIlroy is targeting more Dubai success this week, live on Sky Sports Golf, as the world No 1 aims to round off a memorable 2022 with DP World Tour Championship victory.

A runner-up finish at The Masters and eighth-place showing at the PGA Championship were followed by him claiming fifth at the US Open and then narrowly missing out on victory at The Open, before McIlroy brought his FedExCup-winning form from the PGA Tour back across to Europe in the autumn.

McIlroy is aiming to clinch DP World Tour Championship victory this week, live on Sky Sports

McIlroy claimed joint-second with Rahm at the BMW PGA Championship in the first of three consecutive top-four finishes on the DP World Tour, lifting him to top spot, with the 33-year-old now looking to become the first player since Henrik Stenson to win the FedExCup and DP World Tour order of merit in the same year.

All the while, McIlroy, who won the CJ Cup back on the PGA Tour on his last outing, has been a loyal supporter of golf’s established tours in their legal battle with Saudi-funded breakaway circuit LIV, and believes it may take chief-executive Greg Norman exiting LIV Golf to get any resolution within the sport.

Rahm, when asked how he rated McIlroy’s actions on and off the golf course, was full of praise…

“How do I rate? You’re putting me in a difficult position here,” he said.

“He’s played amazing golf to win the FedExCup, and to have a chance to win the Race to Dubai as well.

McIlroy’s performances this year saw him become FedExCup champion

“This would be I think the second time in his career he wins both, which is quite an accomplishment. He’s played amazing. I think the only thing he will tell you that’s missing is a major championship off having a pretty amazing year.

“It’s great to see somebody with his platform to take a stand as he did, whether you agree with it or not, he’s taken a stand on what he believes in and that’s it. I think it’s great.