Jon Rahm is one of the favourites to win The Masters this week, with the Spaniard winning at Augusta National back in 2023 and continuing his impressive run of form on LIV Golf.
As has been the case for the last few years, The Masters has added significance this time around, with Augusta National, once again, being the first course to play host to all of the world’s best players this year.
Jon Rahm is most definitely in that bracket. And he is returning to a venue where he has won previously – so he will be hoping that Augusta National has few nasty surprises in store.
Of course, Hurricane Helene had an impact on the property, with several trees coming down and causing damage to the course.
What Jon Rahm has heard about Augusta National before his first practice round ahead of The Masters
With most of Monday also washed out due to the weather, Rahm went into his press conference on Tuesday with little idea of the changes which have been made since his last visit.
But it seems that he was wary of someone making some scarcely-believable claims about how the iconic course can now be played a little differently.
“I wish I would have been able to play yesterday because I would be able to give you a much better answer. The only time I’ve seen a difference is down Magnolia Lane so far. I have heard a few things. I’m not going to say who, but somebody did tell me you could hit a high cut over the cabin on 10 – I don’t believe it. I don’t see there’s a chance where so many trees fell it’s a possibility. And after I’ve said this, I’m pretty sure there might be a tree right there next to the tee tomorrow morning,” he said.
“The one thing I have heard from members is if you’ve been before, you can tell there’s a difference. When you’re looking down the property, you can see a little bit further down. It doesn’t necessarily play significantly different, but visually there is a change.”
Why Jon Rahm feels he has been unfairly judged since his move to LIV Golf
The Masters has already played such an important role in Rahm’s career. Of course, being Spanish, it was inevitable that he would be inspired by the victories from Seve Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazabal and Sergio Garcia.
But one of the reasons his move from the PGA Tour appeared to be such a coup for LIV Golf was the fact that he was the current Masters champion at the time he made the jump.
It appeared to have the potential to be a real needle mover for LIV. And Rahm has definitely held up his side of the deal, having won the individual title in his first year. He has also never finished outside of the top 10 in a LIV event – with that run continuing into this season.
However, Rahm clearly feels that he has not got enough credit for his form, having finished nine over par at The Masters last year before missing the cut at the PGA Championship.
“I don’t know how to say anything else. Consistency is something that I’ve always prided myself on. I think last year the state of my game was being unfairly judged based on how I played here and at the PGA compared to how I really played throughout the whole year,” he said, when asked about his run on LIV.
“While I understand why, I don’t think it was the most fair state of my game. It’s something – top 10 statistics is something I’ve always prided myself on. Right before joining LIV, I think I was still close to 50 percent worldwide in all my starts finishing top 10, which is something I pride myself on, and to keep it going that way is not easy.
“Now, I would say I would definitely trade a few of those – take a few of them away and hopefully add a couple more W’s. That would be nice because not in all of them I had a chance to win, and at the end of the day, that’s a goal.”
A second green jacket this week would surely silence all of his doubters once and for all.
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