Ryder Cup Stalwart Shane Lowry Criticizes Jon Rahm and LIV Golf Defectors
Irish golfer Shane Lowry expresses his frustration with Jon Rahm and other players who have left to play for LIV Golf.
Shane Lowry Speaks Out
Shane Lowry, a prominent player in the Ryder Cup, has voiced his discontent with golfers who have chosen to join LIV Golf. He believes that these players may not genuinely be interested in growing the game, but rather have been coerced into making certain statements by the communications team of LIV Golf. Lowry suggests that these players are now owned by the organization.
Lowry's comments come in response to Jon Rahm's recent departure to LIV Golf. Rahm, a two-time major champion, made an appearance in Spain after joining the Saudi-backed tour. It was evident that he was under strict instructions not to participate in public events, indicating the control that LIV Golf has over its players.
The Influence of LIV Golf
LIV Golf is backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. The country has a reputation for limited press freedom and media control, which explains Lowry's statement that LIV Golf 'owns you now.' A non-profit organization called Freedom House has given Saudi Arabia a low score of 7/100 on its Freedom Scale, which measures the level of political freedom in a country.
Jon Rahm, upon announcing his decision to join LIV Golf, spoke about the growth and innovation of the organization. He believes that LIV Golf can have a significant impact on the global golfing community. These remarks prompted Lowry to express his concerns about the situation.
Lowry's Perspective on Professional Golf
Shane Lowry is sympathetic towards golf enthusiasts who have invested their time and money into the sport. He finds it difficult for them to hear a player, who is already financially secure, claim that they need to make certain choices to provide for their family. However, despite his criticisms, Lowry continues to believe that Jon Rahm should still be a part of the Ryder Cup team in the future.
Several other Ryder Cup legends, such as Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood, have also joined LIV Golf, preventing them from representing Team Europe. Henrik Stenson, who was initially selected as the captain for the 2023 team, was replaced by Luke Donald after he joined LIV Golf. Despite these developments, Lowry remains focused on his own game and aims to compete in the best tournaments.
