Is golf a sport? It’s a ridiculous question that keeps popping up from time to time in different forms from people who clearly aren’t golfers. But one of the best golfers on the planet gave the best answer yet to this uninformed query.
We take you to Saudi Arabia, where Jon Rahm was doing a post-round presser following Day 1 at the LIV Golf Riyadh event. Rahm and new teammate Tom McKibbin were answering some questions about their team’s strong start when they got hit with a version of this silly interrogation.
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“What would you tell these people?” a journalist asked. “What do you think makes golf a sport?” Between McKibbin’s strong debut, the new LIV-Fox Sports deal, the guys playing a complete golf tournament under the lights in Saudi Arabia, and pro golf’s first halftime show(!), there was plenty to talk about, but we’re talking about practice whether golf is a sport still? Really?
The two-time major champ had a hilarious response, though, turning toward Tom and saying, “Have you ever thought about that? I mean, we’re prime examples of peak male athleticism right here.”
Well played, Jon. Sure, there’s the odd embarrassing moment—like that time Russell Knox tried to throw an apple—but golf is clearly a sport. And both Tom and Jon went on to give much more in-depth, actual answers as well. Have a look and listen at the entire exchange captured by Chris McKee:
Local Saudi reporter asks Jon Rahm and Tom McKibbin "Is golf a real sport?"
Rahm responds, "We're prime examples of peak male athleticism right here." #LIVGolf @LegionXIIIgc pic.twitter.com/3ZptoI0lcR— Chris McKee (@mrmckee) February 7, 2025
Good job, guys. You will always be athletes in our book.
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This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
