Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images

Sir Nick Faldo takes aim at LIV Golf as Jon Rahm struggles on day one at The Masters

Originally posted on HITC | By Jordan Harris | Last updated Apr 9, 2026 8:00 PM ET

Sir Nick Faldo suggested that LIV Golf has to take some of the blame as both Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm struggled on day one of The Masters.

It looked inevitable that DeChambeau and Rahm would be in contention at Augusta National this week.

The pair have won the last three LIV Golf events between them, with DeChambeau edging out Rahm when they met in a playoff in South Africa last time out.

However, both men are now facing a fight just to make the cut at The Masters.

Sir Nick Faldo reacts as Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm struggle at The Masters

DeChambeau got his tournament underway with a four over par 76 early on. The low point came when the two-time US Open champion made a triple bogey seven on the 11th hole – without going into the water.

But Rahm is even further back. The Spaniard was six over par after failing to make a single birdie in his opening round.

And speaking on Sky Sports, Sir Nick Faldo suggested that their preparation on LIV appears to have dented their chances of winning this week significantly.

“I think they have come in with a lot of pressure. It’s LIV and the tour so you have that side,” he said.

Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images

“Jon is having a battle with the European Tour over the Ryder Cup stuff. I was wondering if that would inspire him and he was going to say I’ll do you know what to this. I thought maybe that would inspire him.

“I was thinking fast that they have just played two tournaments on LIV where Singapore was 25 under to win and then South Africa 25 under to win, and then you come here and you are not doing that here.

“This is a completely different mindset where you are making a couple of birdies and hanging on.

“I don’t believe that is the best preparation. Whereas the tour was at TPC, which is pretty tough.

“It’s the mindset and the thinking and strategy. There’s no strategy to shooting 25 under. You fire at the flag and it works.

“Whereas here you have a lot of thinking about good shots, bad shots and all the challenges of Augusta National.”

What Rahm could do for the first time ever at Augusta National

It feels particularly shocking to see Rahm struggle so much on Thursday at Augusta.

Of course, he won the Green Jacket back in 2023. He has also been in sublime form in recent months, having finished inside the top two in seven of his last nine LIV events.

He ended his lengthy wait for a LIV win in Hong Kong.

But Rahm has also never missed the cut at The Masters. In fact, Thursday saw his worst ever round at Augusta National, eclipsing the 77 he shot on day three in 2022.

Many will be expecting Rahm to respond in superb fashion on Friday and ensure that he is around on the weekend.

But it does seem that whatever happens next, his hopes of winning the event for a second time have already been dashed.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: