David Ford was playing like one of the best amateurs in the world at the end of 2024. It's no surprise he starts 2025 on top of the leaderboard.

Although Rory McIlroy may eventually share Jon Rahm's optimism about the state of professional golf, he currently does not believe the sport is in its "golden era" -- as the Spaniard suggested on Tuesday.

At the Dubai Desert Classic, Jon Rahm said “we’re living in a golden era right now for golf,” which Rory McIlroy didn’t quite agree with.

Jon Rahm remains optimistic that professional golf can reach an even “higher level” after years of turmoil, and he pointed Tuesday to at least two areas that he hopes could be cleared up in the interim.

The rivalry between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf is still bubbling. Despite a framework agreement that could lead to a deal soon, the players are still taking shots at each other in the media. Jon Rahm said before the DP World Tour’s Dubai Desert Classic that golf is in a golden era,

Rory McIlroy has responded to Jon Rahm's comments that men's professional golf is currently in a 'golden era', but the two stars have differing views on the topic