LIV Golf rebel Jon Rahm confesses real 'downfall' behind PGA Championship collapse

Jon Rahm has candidly discussed the "downfall" in his performance that resulted in him missing the cut at this week's PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club. The Spanish golf sensation failed to make it past the 36-hole mark for the first time in 19 major starts on Friday in Kentucky, with his previous miss dating back to the 2019 PGA Championship at Bethpage Black.

Competing in his second major since his high-profile switch to LIV Golf last December, Rahm had previously finished tied for 45th at the Masters last month while defending his title. Despite not being at his peak in Augusta, his struggles intensified at Valhalla.

The double major winner completed his initial rounds at even-par, yet this wasn't sufficient to secure a weekend spot in Kentucky, as he missed the cut by just one stroke as captain of Legion XIII.

Post-event, Rahm pinpointed his driving accuracy as the primary issue. He expressed his shock, saying, "[I am] surprised because of how I felt like I was hitting it in Australia and Singapore and in the week off before coming here, especially off the tee, hitting great drives, and that's what's been my downfall."

He lamented, "I just couldn't find a fairway off the tee. You can make birdies off the fairway, but off the rough, it's a tough golf course to score on and that's kind of what happened to me."

Rahm's tournament began disastrously, finding himself four-over after just six holes on Thursday at the 2023 Masters.

Despite a spirited fightback that saw him make six birdies to end the day at one-under, Rahm couldn't maintain this momentum into Friday. He signed off with a one-over 72, making his missed cut all the more frustrating as he needed a birdie from his last four holes.

"I was just hoping to get one more and clear myself," Rahm reflected. "When you're playing poorly, you need some extra motivation. It was on my mind and the swing wasn't quite there, but I felt comfortable with the putter.

"I was just desperate to give myself some kind of chance, but I couldn't manage anything on the last three holes [after saving par on the sixth]. I think it was 25 feet, 25 feet and 60 feet."

Now, the Spanish star will take a break from competition following his brief US PGA appearance.

Rahm and his fellow LIV stars are set to return to the Saudi-backed circuit on June 7 when they travel to Houston. From there, it's straight back into action for the former world No.1 as he sets his sights on the third major championship of the year at the US Open at Pinehurst - an event he triumphed in back in 2021.