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.

Rory McIlroy has thrown shade at Jon Rahm's 'rose-tinted glasses' view that golf is in its 'golden era', despite the PGA Tour-LIV Golf division. Both McIlroy and Rahm are teeing up at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic this week, and Rahm didn't shy away from singing praises of the current state of golf, even with the tumult caused by rival factions.

Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm will go up against each other in Dubai this week, and the pair are in disagreement over the current state of men's professional golf amid the PGA Tour-LIV fallout

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,

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.

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