In the fading Roman sunlight at Marco Simone last September, Rory McIlroy stood on the 18th green with tears in his eyes. Europe had just reclaimed the Ryder Cup in 2023, and his voice cracked as he spoke about what the week meant to him. McIlroy had been the emotional heartbeat of Team Europe, fist-pumping through fairways, rallying crowds, and taking on the responsibility of being the face of the team. By all means, it was his Ryder Cup. Yet just a few feet away, Jon Rahm sat quietly, overlooked by the cameras, despite delivering just as much for the team.

With Rahm managing a stunning tie in his match with Scottie Scheffler earlier that day, it was vital. Yet the spotlight seemed tilted, and those who paid close attention noticed his restless expression in the media room. That moment, largely overshadowed by the celebrations, is where “Golf’s Wise Guy” now insists the first cracks between Rahm and McIlroy began to show. On The Favorite Chamblee podcast, renowned commentator Brandel Chamblee revisited that moment. “You know, he looked pretty disgruntled when you’ve seen him in the media center,” Chamblee said. “I think part of the reason why he left was he felt like he didn’t have as big a voice in the world of golf as Rory McIlroy.”

Chamblee went on to paint the picture vividly: “When he was finally asked a question, sitting up in the media center in Rome, he was like, ‘what, what, what?’ He acted like he was asleep. And he acted, you know, pissed that he hadn’t been previously asked a question that they were all going to Rory. And, you know, I thought that was pretty telling.” For Chamblee, this wasn’t just an awkward press conference. It was a revealing glimpse into Rahm’s state of mind: a top-five player in the world, but one who felt overshadowed by McIlroy’s louder voice in the sport.

Chamblee even recalled how McIlroy, sensing the tension, tried to smooth it over in real time: “Rory turns to me and goes, he’s only the number one player in the world, which he wasn’t the number one player in the world, but there was Rory conceding ground as a conciliatory moment to Rahm.” The memory of Rome isn’t just about the roar of victory; it’s about a subtle shift in dynamics. As Europe celebrated, Jon Rahm sat in the media room, his frustration visible. He had just captured his second major: the 2023 Masters, and reclaimed the world No. 1 ranking. Yet, as Chamblee observed, recognition lagged.

The Irishman, by contrast, remained a louder voice of golf in 2023. Despite Rahm’s Masters victory that year and also being the world no.1, McIlroy continued dominating global impressions and feeling like the de facto spokesperson for Team Europe. His emotional leadership at the Ryder Cup only reinforced that. McIlroy was Europe’s top points scorer, achieving a 4–1–0 record, including a Sunday singles win over Sam Burns.

Additionally, Rory ranked No. 1 on the PGA Tour’s 2023 Player Impact Program and earned $15 million in bonuses, which measures players’ influence across metrics like social media engagement, media mentions, and overall buzz. Moreover, at the time, Rory’s strong stance against LIV Golf most likely resonated strongly with golf fans, adding more fuel to his popularity. He was vocal about the divide in the golf world multiple times.

So, in hindsight, that exchange might have been fleeting, but it carried weight. Chamblee tied it directly to Rahm’s eventual move to LIV Golf: “Maybe it is for the money. But I think part of the reason why he left was he felt like he didn’t have as big a voice in the world of golf as Rory McIlroy.” And within months, Rahm stunned the sport by announcing his defection. Suddenly, what once looked like harmless media-room body language seemed like a foreshadowing.

The aftermath: Rory McIlroy reacts to Jon Rahm joining LIV

In December 2023, Jon Rahm stunned the golf world by signing with LIV Golf, joining the Saudi-backed league, joining Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, and Bryson DeChambeau. For Rory, who has been one of LIV’s fiercest critics, it was a gut punch. But instead of anger, his reaction was more reflective, even sympathetic. On December 7, 2023, while speaking to Sky Sports, McIlroy admitted he was disappointed but stood firm on one point: Rahm must remain part of Europe’s Ryder Cup future. “Jon is going to be in Bethpage in 2025,” McIlroy said confidently, referencing the next edition in New York.

“Because of this decision, the European Tour is going to have to rewrite the rules for Ryder Cup eligibility. Absolutely. There’s no question about that. I certainly want Jon on the next Ryder Cup team.” It was a striking shift in tone from McIlroy, who had once called LIV ‘an exhibition series’ and led the PGA Tour’s resistance.

In response to McIlroy’s comments and his quick suggestion to change the Ryder Cup eligibility rules, Rahm said, “It’s amazing to hear. I have the utmost respect for Rory McIlroy, and to have his support right away is very, very special. It’s almost emotional to hear about it.” What played out in Rome showed the cracks between Rahm and McIlroy, with pride and recognition briefly getting in the way of unity. But when Rahm’s shock move to LIV followed, it was McIlroy who set differences aside, calling for his rival’s Ryder Cup place to be protected. It’s a reminder that in golf’s biggest team event, egos and divides matter less than the shared cause of keeping Europe strong.