Just a few months past, Jon Rahm, the acclaimed golfer, shared his perspective on the current golf landscape, referring to it as the “golden era”. He had compelling evidence to support his viewpoint, including the notable tours in Europe, the PGA tour, the introduction of the new LIV event, and the TGL. However, Rory McIlroy, another heavyweight in the sport, disagreed vehemently with Rahm’s glowing assessment. For McIlroy, the divide in golf was too glaring to ignore, leading him to label Rahm’s view as overly optimistic, or in his words, “Very rose-tinted glasses”.
A surprising turn of events has since unfolded, with PGA Tour professional Wyndham Clark siding with Rahm, despite an earlier stance that would have seen him align with McIlroy. Clark’s recent remarks indicate a shift in his attitude towards the state of golf, as he now believes that the sport is in a flourishing condition.
Clark stated, “I’m at the point where I want whatever is best for golf. I feel like golf is in a great place. It’s being consumed a ton. People are loving golf more. Athletes are playing golf. We have shows about golf. We have LIV, we have TGL, we have so many different avenues for people to watch and enjoy golf.” It’s a compelling argument, and Clark is not alone in his thinking.
This unexpected alliance between Clark and Rahm hints at a shifting sentiment within the golfing community. Is it possible that McIlroy’s apprehensions are being overlooked as more industry professionals lean towards Rahm’s “golden era” outlook?
This is an evolving narrative that merits close attention. While McIlroy’s concerns cannot be dismissed, the growing support for Rahm’s viewpoint suggests a positive tide turning in the world of golf. With new avenues for golf consumption and increased interest in the sport, the “golden era” may not be such a rose-tinted concept after all.