From sweet to sour: Rahm’s Green Jacket defense all but over on ‘moving day’ at the Masters
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Defending champion Jon Rahm was left ‘feeling sour’ despite an improved level-par 72 in Saturday’s third round, dejected at not being in contention for Sunday.
Jon Rahm’s week couldn’t have started any better after his Basque-inspired Champions Dinner had buttered up both sides of golf’s divide, leaving a sweet Milhojas de Crema y Nata taste in the mouths of the Green Jacket ‘fraternity’.
Three days into his defense however, and the taste has quickly turned “sour” for the Legion XIII captain who was supposed to be flying the flag for the LIV breakaway tour at Augusta National this week.
Sitting on five-over par after rounds of 73, 76, and 72, the Spaniard cut a somber tone after reflecting on what it’s going to be like when he finishes on Sunday afternoon and is faced with the prospect of draping the Green Jacket over the shoulders of one of his peers.
“It’s a bit of a sour feeling knowing you’re not in contention, said Rahm.
“I mean, worst case I’ll be a part of the ceremony. I’ll be there. I’m guessing be a little different. I don’t know if I’ll go back home or not, but obviously, I’m going to have to come back and get ready at some point.
After his mega-money move to LIV for the 2024 season, Rahm has failed to hit the heights that delivered him a Masters title and took him to World No.1 in 2023. His best finish this year was a third place in Mexico on his LIV Tour debut, leaving many questioning whether he had enough form coming into Augusta to topple the seemingly unstoppable Scottie Scheffler.
And it would seem those observations were not unjustified with Rahm struggling in Friday’s challenging winds and failing to make enough putts to give himself a chance when the course was playing easier on Saturday.
“Yesterday was terrible. Today I kept it in play off the tee, which is going to do a lot. Didn’t really make any putts, did I? Gave myself plenty of chances; just didn’t make them.
“Luckily made the one on 17 to have the only birdie of the day, and the one par putt on 6. I had a few really good chances on 3, 4, and 5. 8. Couple others. 12, 13, 14, just — 15, none of them wanted to go in.”
Rahm admitted that “not having his swing” in the challenging conditions of the tournament’s opening two days had done the damage to his defense, and with the course firming up on Saturday, he had to play very defensively and was unable to put himself in good positions.
“I think if you came out today and somehow shot 67 or lower, maybe you could give yourself a little bit of hope. But it’s a hard golf course out there. Anything under par is a good round. Anything in the 60s is a fantastic round today.”
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Jon Rahm was left feeling sour after failing to get himself into contention.
