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‘It’s Still a PGA Tour Event’: Jon Rahm Voices His Bold Views on Defending Champion Cameron Smith’s Participation at the Players Championship

Published 03/08/2023, 5:30 AM EST

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The Players Championship has been the talk of the golf world recently. Upon its arrival, another major debate has arisen within the golf world. This time it revolves around the event’s defending champions participating in it. While many believe that Cameron Smith should have been invited to play at the 5th major despite not being on the tour, just as many believe that he should not have. And Jon Rahm, known for his rationality, recently voiced his take on it all.

Jon Rahm boldly opens up about the defector dilemma

In the past, while the majority of the PGA Tour players stood rigidly against the players who jumped ship from playing in international events like the Ryder Cup, Jon Rahm went against them all. He claimed that the players should have been allowed to represent their country regardless of what league they played in.

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With the Players Championship underway this week, another such dilemma has arisen. The defending champion, Cameron Smith, has since defected to LIV Golf. As per the ranking criteria, this year too, the Australian qualifies for the event. But, of course, he hasn’t been invited to play in it, and when Rahm was asked how he felt about that, he was split!

The Spaniard speaking at the Press Conference at TPC Sawgrass, torn between his answer stated, “I mean, yes and no.” He explained that usually, he felt like every player who wins an event should have a chance to defend it the next year. “I feel like, as defending champion, you’ve earned a right,” he stated boldly. “That’s my belief, that defending champions should always be there.” But these weren’t the usual circumstances! And Rahm knew that too.

Rahm sides with the PGA Tour about Cameron Smith

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The onetime major winner declared that he knew this wasn’t just a regular qualifying situation, though. He claimed, “Some players made a choice of going to a different golf league knowing that they weren’t going to be allowed to play here.”

via Reuters

Rahm believed that they knew very well what the consequences were when they chose to join the Saudi Series. He claimed that no matter how big the event was; it was still a Tour event. “This is a massive event. It is very close to major-quality event, but it’s still a PGA Tour event,” he said. “So, with that regard, no… I don’t think just him should be allowed to be here.”

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Watch This Story | Jon Rahm Makes a Bittersweet Revelation About Tiger Woods

What do you think about Rahm’s opinion? Do you think they should allow LIV Golf players in the Player’s Championship? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by:

Sheldon Pereira

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One take at a time

Sheldon is a golf writer at EssentiallySports. He is a business graduate from Christ University with a degree in Finance and Accounting. He also has experience as a Senior Audit Associate at an MNC, but his love for writing drove him towards his dream, and he switched careers.
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Edited by:

Akash Pandhare

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