It seems we may have a war of words surfacing between double Ryder Cup winning team-mates in Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy.
Rahm has been much in the news of late firstly expressing his distaste with the DP World Tour in being imposed sanctions in his wish to rejoin the Tour but then turning to golf’s good guy in going out of his way in arranging a private jet to get seven players and a caddie out of Dubai and take them to nearby Oman where boarded a private jet to be safely flown to Hong Kong.
Rahm’s actions were rewarded with victory at LIV Hong Kong, a first LIV Golf title since September ’24.
RAHM’S SUBTLE RESPONSE TO RORS …
As top @livgolf_league star @JonRahmOfficial responds to McIlroy’s ‘South Africa’ comments, a country Rahm is yet to tee up
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— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) March 10, 2026
McIlroy had been asked ahead of Arnold Palmer Invitational his thoughts of Ramh’s comments and responding, in part: “Geez, in my opinion, it’s a really generous deal“ and adding “ I’m sure Jon doesn’t want to go to South Africa next week, but he’s going there. So, you know, like I don’t, again, like I… “
Now we have Rahm responding, and without singling out McIlroy, expressing his views via the following question from a local Singapore-based journalist:
When you won in Hong Kong last week, that was the eighth different country that you’ve won on in your career. Sergio has won 18, Seve was 20 plus. I’m curious, how important is it from your perspective in terms of your career to have success across the globe instead of maybe just limited to a couple of countries?
JON RAHM: I’m trying to think right now what eight countries.
Q. I can tell you if you want.
JON RAHM: I probably remember. I certainly never thought about it that way. I think the only thought I’ve ever had is how many continents are you able to win, and I’ve never played in Africa, so that’s always been a limit. Or actually, as a matter of fact, never played in South America, either. So I’ve been able to play in three and win in three. I guess four; I haven’t won in Australia yet.
I guess it can put things in perspective, as well. I think, at least in my case, up until LIV, I didn’t play as much worldwide as so many of the players had to play in the ’70s, ’80s, ’90, maybe early 2000s, especially if they were European, having the opportunity to go play and win events elsewhere. I would be very curious to know where Greg Norman is at because I think having over 100 wins in his career, it’s probably quite diverse, as well.
I think it’s really unique, the opportunity to go play and take your golf to different corners of the world and be able to win in them is quite special.
I thought eight was a lot up until you mentioned Sergio having 18 and knowing Seve had 20 some. It’s impressive. So knowing that we’re playing in 10 different countries in LIV, hopefully I can keep adding to that tally and hopefully get to 10 someday and maybe 20 someday.
Jon Rahm’s Now Won In Eight Different Countries ….
Thanks to HITC Rahm’s professional career now include eight different countries from a first in the USA at the 2017 at the Farmers Insurance Open to his latest at LIV Golf Hong Kong.
- United States: Eleven PGA Tour victories from 2017, including his two Major Championships, the 2021 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines and his last PGA Tour sanctioned victory at the 2023 Masters.
- Spain: Rahm has stayed true to his roots, winning the Spanish Open three times (2018, 2019, 2022) to match the record of his idol, Seve Ballesteros.
- United Arab Emirates: Three DP World Tour Championship victories in Dubai, winning the season finale three times (2017, 2019, 2022).
- Ireland: Rahm has twice conquered the Emerald Isle, winning the Irish Open in 2017 (Portstewart) and 2019 (Lahinch).
- Mexico: He notched a PGA Tour victory at the 2022 Mexico Open at Vidanta and has seen further success there at LIV Mexico.
- United Kingdom: Beyond his DP World Tour exploits, Rahm added a UK title to his resume through LIV Golf’s London events.
- Saudi Arabia: Since joining LIV Golf, Rahm has expanded his trophy cabinet into the Middle East with a victory in Riyadh.
- Hong Kong: Most recently, in March 2026, Rahm snapped a winless drought by claiming the LIV Golf Hong Kong title with a record-equalling score.
