'Tired' Jon Rahm Struggles In First Round Since Masters Triumph
New Masters champion Jon Rahm admitted to tiredness during a slow first round since his victory at Augusta
It was a quick turnaround for Jon Rahm and all the emotion and exertion of winning The Masters took its toll as he admitted tiredness played a part in his slow start to the RBC Heritage.
Just four days after slipping on the Green Jacket at Augusta National, Rahm teed it up in search of quick-fire jacket double at Harbour Town Golf Links with the Heritage Plaid Jacket going to this week’s champion.
It looks a tall order already for Rahm, who shot a one-over round of 72 to sit eight shots behind leader Viktor Hovland – who also contended at Augusta but did not go through the emotional highs of the champion.
Rahm admitted in his pre-tournament press conference that he was “extremely tired" and "not very useful in any sense” at the start of the week, and that fatigue followed him during his first round.
“I hate to make excuses, but a couple of the swings towards the end were my body being tired and surprised me,” Rahm said after his round. “The one on 16, I lost one shot right there just because of a really bad swing.
“I don't know. I'm hoping tonight is the day where I start turning things back around and start feeling a little bit better.
“We've got it started. Just three days to make it back. Supposed to have good weather tomorrow morning, so hopefully I can take advantage of it.”
Get the top Black Friday deals right in your inbox: Sign up now!
The hottest deals and product recommendations during deals season straight to your inbox plus all the best game-changing tips, in-depth features and the latest news and insights around the game.
While winning The Masters would take it out of a player by itself, the fact it was an extended Sunday at Augusta just added to the tiredness that Rahm admitted to feeling during his first round at the RBC Heritage.
A post shared by PGA TOUR (@pgatour)
A photo posted by on
And with rain around in South Carolina and a suspension of play too, Rahm was delighted that he did not also have to come back and finish his round off on Friday.
“I think for the most part I did a pretty good job. With the rain and all, it could have been a lot worse, been very ugly.
“I would have not been happy if we couldn't finish, like if we had to play another 30 holes tomorrow. That wasn't the plan. Hopefully the weather is good tomorrow. Get a little bit better and keep it going.”
Many would have forgiven Rahm for skipping Harbour Town even though it is a designated event, given he’d just won The Masters, but he was determined to show up and honour his commitment to play.
That’s in contrast to Rory McIlroy, who pulled out of the event after missing the cut at Augusta, in a move that will reportedly cost him $3m as it’s the second designated event he’s missed this season.
Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. He is currently freelance and covers the golf majors on the BBC Sport website. Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. Favourite interviews he's conducted have been with McIlroy, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Rickie Fowler and the enigma that is Victor Dubuisson. A big fan of watching any golf from any tour, sadly he spends more time writing about golf than playing these days with two young children, and as a big fair weather golfer claims playing in shorts is worth at least five shots. Being from Liverpool he loves the likes of Hoylake, Birkdale and the stretch of tracks along England's Golf Coast, but would say his favourite courses played are Kingsbarns and Portrush.
-
DP World Tour Rookie Hit With Slow Play Penalty On First Pro Start
Jacob Skov Olesen was handed a one-shot penalty for slow play at the Australian PGA Championship in what was his very first start as a professional
By Paul Higham Published
-
Nelly Korda Claims LPGA Awards Double After Seven-Win Season
Nelly Korda was handed the two top prizes at the LPGA Awards after a seven-win season including her second Major
By Paul Higham Published
-
Jon Rahm To Miss DP World Tour Championship
The Spaniard is missing this week's DP World Tour Championship, which he has won on three occasions
By Elliott Heath Published
-
The 4 LIV Golfers Currently Qualified For The DP World Tour Championship
Jon Rahm is one of four LIV Golf players in with a chance of qualifying for the DP World Tour Championship
By Paul Higham Published
-
Jon Rahm And Ludvig Aberg Among Big Names Missing Abu Dhabi Championship As Rory McIlroy Headlines Field
The entry list for the first DP World Tour Play-Offs event is in, with the top 70 teeing it up at Yas Links next week
By Elliott Heath Published
-
After Dramatic Build-up, Relieved Jon Rahm Ready For Record Open De Espana Bid
It was a rollercoaster ride for Jon Rahm but he did finally make it into the Open de Espana field as he looks to win a record fourth title
By Paul Higham Published
-
Report: Jon Rahm To Make Open de Espana Appearance After Birth Of Third Child
The Spaniard was in danger of missing his home open after withdrawing from the Wednesday Pro-Am, but it is reported he will be teeing it up in Madrid after the birth of his first daughter
By Matt Cradock Published
-
How All 10 Of LIV’s New Players Fared In 2024
A whole heap of new full-time players teed it up in the LIV Golf League throughout 2024, with some enjoying a better season than others...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Why It’s Not just $18m Up For Grabs In Rahm Vs Niemann LIV Golf Decider
Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann will be fighting for the LIV Golf individual prize in Chicago which brings a unique championship ring including a QR code surprise
By Paul Higham Published
-
'The Ryder Cup Is Bigger Than Just The Match' - Padraig Harrington Has His Say On Jon Rahm Eligibility
Padraig Harrington says he's a renowned stickler for the rules, which influences his take on whether Jon Rahm should be eligible for the Ryder Cup
By Paul Higham Published