Tag: professionals-jon-rahm

Categories
Equipment Panorama

Jon Rahm hoping to follow in footsteps of greatness with custom TRAVISMATHEW Cuater shoes at PGA Championship

Jon Rahm will be wearing the TRAVISMATHEW Cuater shoe at the PGA Championship 2023. (Photo: TRAVISMATHEW)
Jon Rahm will be wearing the TRAVISMATHEW Cuater shoe at the PGA Championship 2023. (Photo: TRAVISMATHEW)

Heading to Oak Hill Country Club in good form following four PGA Tour wins in 2023, including The Masters at Augusta National in April, the Spaniard will once again be wearing a custom-painted pair of The Ringer golf shoes.

Vamos Rhambo

The shoe will be in a different colourway to the bespoke custom design white and green pair he wore at Augusta, with this week’s white design detailed with a blue and gold colour combination that pays homage to the PGA Championship logo and the word ‘Vamos’ along the outside of shoe, in reference to his “Vamos Rahmbo” tagline.

As part of his partnership with TRAVISMATHEW, Rahm will be wearing the custom Ringer shoes at Oak Hill this week as he looks to join an illustrious group of players to have won three major championships – with his first two arriving since partnering with TRAVISMATHEW in 2021, which has coincided with his rise to world number one.

Rahm sees the shoes as a gamechanger

Rahm said: “I think the game changer is the shoes I am wearing. They are a lot more comfortable. I have done some great work with the Cuater and TRAVISMATHEW team and I think it has allowed me to be a little bit more stable and up my ball speed and swing speed without being concerned. I can keep that speed up from the first tee shot on Thursday to the last one on Sunday a little bit more consistently.”

TRAVISMATHEW’s premium Cuater performance golf shoe, The Ringer delivers ultimate comfort with lightweight support, breathability, and moisture management in an attractive, waterproof style. The shoes come with layers of moulded foam for ultimate comfort to give golfers the most secure and responsive fit on the market.

Several other top professional golfers also wear Cuater footwear, including Ryder Cup hopeful Sam Burns. The five-time PGA Tour winner will be hoping to continue US dominance at the PGA Championship this week by becoming his country’s eighth consecutive winner of the tournament.
In celebration of the PGA Championship, TRAVISMATHEW is running a Cuater promotion, with anyone purchasing a pair of Cuater shoes gifted a free pair of Cuater socks.

For more information on Cuater click here.

(Text: TRAVISMATHEW)

Categories
Highlights Tours

Jon Rahm: “The greatest honour you can achieve in golf is becoming The Open Champion in St Andrews”

Jon Rahm talks his preparation ahead of the Open Championship 2022. (Image: Mercedes Benz)

Jon Rahm excited ahead of The Open Championship 2022

Jon Rahm is a Spanish golfer of the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour. In 2020 and 2021, the global Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador led the world golf rankings for over 30 weeks. His greatest success was winning the US Open in 2021. This year he plays his first Open in St Andrews, at the “Home of Golf”. After a very good result at the last Open in 2021 (T3), he wants to build on his good performance at the big 150th Open in 2022.

The 27-year-old Spaniard not only talks with us about his first Open in St Andrews, he also explains what it would mean to him to be the first Spaniard after Seve Ballesteros (Champion Golfer of the Year 1979, 1984 and 1988) to win the trophy and thus follow in the footsteps of a sports icon. In addition he gives an insight into his preparation and expectations.
Text and video by Mercedes Benz

Categories
Highlights Tours

US Open 2022: Jon Rahm squanders the lead with “six good strokes

Jon Rahm in the fairway bunker on the 18th hole on Moving Day at the 2022 US Open. (Photo: Getty)
Jon Rahm in the fairway bunker on the 18th hole on Moving Day at the 2022 US Open. (Photo: Getty)

For Jon Rahm, it’s all about defending his title this week at the US Open 2022. The 2021 Open winner is well in the running, alone in third place. But still on the 17th hole of his third round it looked like the leading position in the final. Rahm got bogged down on hole 18, and in an interview after the round he gives an insight into his view of the final hole.

Jon Rahm: “It was six good shots”.

With a one-stroke lead, Rahm went onto the 18th hole. The little drama already started on the tee shot, his ball did not hit the expected right turn, but landed in the left fairway bunker. From there, Rahm needed two shots at once, with shot two ending up in the greenside bunker. Rahm chipped the dug-in ball to the flag at just under 20 feet and needed two more putts. So a total of a double bogey brings him to a 71 – one over par for the moving day of the US Open 2022. Before that he holed another putt for birdie and the sole lead:

So much for the facts, but for Rahm this chaos railroad had many positives: The truth is, 18, it was six good shots. Unfortunately, it added up to 6, but it was all good swings. If anything, it was maybe a choice or a decision on the fairway bunker, but swings were good, so execution was proper. So I’m happy about that in that sense.

Regarding the bunker hits, Rahm continues when asked,  “I haven’t thought really about it. Quite frankly, it was a little dark, and it was hard to see. After I hit the shot, I realized the ball was a little bit deeper in the sand than I could really truly see.” He admits he misjudged the situation, “But I think I got maybe — tried to be a little too perfect with the shot. I had a 9-iron in hand. That’s plenty to get over that lip. Maybe I was trying to get too cute, making sure — looking for another birdie, where I could have just hit a 9-iron and hope it gets over the bunker and see what happens.”

Rahm goes into the final motivated

For the last day, the Spaniard wants to focus on himself and his game. “I can’t control what the guys ahead or behind me are doing,” the Spaniard said. ” I just have to focus on myself and my game and play my golf, shot by shot. Try to be as committed as possible to each shot, and that’s it.” Continuing, Rahm explained, “The second you get too caught up in what others are doing at a U.S. Open is when you start making bogeys and double-bogeys in a row. Yeah, exactly that. Just nothing special. Nothing that needs to change. Just, again, making decisions and executing.”

Categories
Highlights Tours

US Masters 2022: Will Jon Rahm continue the Spanish tradition at Augusta?

Jon Rahm together with compatriot Sergio Garcia during the practice round at the US Masters 2022. (Photo: Getty)

We are in a week unlike any other in the entire year. When the gates of Augusta National Golf Club open in April, the entire golfing world goes into a trance for seven days, triggered by the uniqueness and simple beauty of this tournament. In Augusta, everything simply fits and the entire scenery seems perfectly coordinated, as if in a choreography that has been rehearsed for years. For this very reason – and because Augusta is Augusta – the US Masters is considered the most prestigious and important tournament of the year, even among players.

US Masters 2022 – Tee Times

That’s how Jon Rahm sees it, too. Although the Spaniard lost his first place in the world rankings to Scottie Scheffler a few weeks ago, the bookmakers still consider the 27-year-old to be the biggest contender for the title at the 2022 US Masters, and for good reason. For one thing, Rahm has always finished in the top 10 in his last four appearances at Augusta, and for another, this golf course has a very special Spanish aura about it. Seve Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazabal and Sergio Garcia have already won the Green Jacket, and now the next great Spaniard is to follow. But Jon Rahm is aware of the difficulty of this task, as he revealed at the press conference on Tuesday.

US Masters 2022: No major like any other


The Masters is unique. Not only because of its history, but also because it is the only major tournament that is played on the same course every year. Admittedly, the Augusta National Golf Club has made some minor changes to the course again this year, but anyone who has ever played the Masters can gauge exactly what to expect. Jon Rahm knows that, too: “It makes preparation a little easier. You can simulate the situations for different shots a little easier in practice than you can at the other three majors, when you play a new course every year,” says the world number two.

Based on this fact, but also on his strong results in recent years, the Spaniard considers himself well prepared for the coming week: “I know I can play well here and hopefully on Sunday I can be a little closer on the last nine holes than in recent years.”

Tiger Woods on US Master 2022: “I belive I can win!”

In addition to the beautiful golf course built by Perry Maxwell in 1937, it’s also the crowds of fans that make the tournament what it is today. For Rahm, the 2022 US Masters is unlike any other event. After limited crowds during the pandemic, they are returning to full capacity this year. And as if the anticipation wasn’t already high enough, Tiger Woods is also announcing his comeback for the same week. “We were on the 7 on Monday and Tiger was just playing the 2,” Rahm reports of his first impressions. “I’ve never seen such a big crowd on those two holes, even on a Sunday. There’s a lot more excitement in the air.”

Jon Rahm: “Justin Thomas is the only one who gets real tips from Tiger.”

If you want to hold your own at Augusta National Golf Club, you need a good mix of experience and your best golf game. Forty-two years ago, Seve Ballesteros became the first Spaniard to win the U.S. Masters, ushering in a small Spanish tradition that last continued in 2017 when Sergio Garcia won the Green Jacket. Jon Rahm knows about that tradition and would only be too happy to do his part:

“Since I’m the only Spanish player who is a Major champion but not a Masters champion, that would be something special. Hopefully I can be fourth on that list. There have been a lot of good Spanish stories here that I would like to add to.”

US Masters 2022: Hideki Matsuyama serves outrageous menu of Japanese cuisine

If Rahm can show his best game this week, he will undoubtedly be considered the top favorite. But the Masters wouldn’t be the Masters if even the best players in the world didn’t break a sweat in this setting. Experience is the be-all and end-all at Augusta. When Tiger Woods was about to play his first US Masters, then as an amateur, he got helpful tips from Seve Ballesteros about the condition of the greens and how best to master the difficult shots at Augusta. When asked if Rahm himself had ever asked Tiger for such tips, the Spaniard responded with a nice anecdote:

“Justin Thomas is the only one who gets real tips from Tiger. I asked him for tips once before, back in East Lake. He just turned around and said ‘it’s all about the feeling and just keep going’ and I stood there thinking ‘cool, thanks for that’. Then when I turned around he was standing next to JT telling him a whole dissertation.”

Even if Rahm can’t hope for any tips from Tiger, it should also be enough if he fully trusts his game; after all, it made him the best golfer in the world last year. And there’s one more thing to be hopeful about. Rahm has his biggest fan with him again this week for the 2022 US Masters. “My son Kepa was a lucky charm at the U.S. Open. He wasn’t there at the British Open, so I hope he makes it lucky again this time.”

Categories
PGA Tour

Jon Rahm cards 9 on par-4 at Players Championship

Jon Rahm cards a 9 on a par-4 at Players Championship. (Photo: Getty / Screenshot PGA Tour)
Jon Rahm cards a 9 on a par-4 at Players Championship. (Photo: Getty / Screenshot PGA Tour)

On the final round of the Players Championship, Jon Rahm robbed himself of his chance for a good finish early on. On hole 4 (a par-4), the Spanish US Open champion recorded a 9. It is the worst score on a single hole in his professional career. Previously, a 7 was his worst score.

The 27-year-old found the water from a fairway bunker with his second shot. He then missed the next shot from the drop zone as well and had to call for another relief. His third attempt then just reached the green, but it was still more than 20 metres to the hole. After the three-putt and three penalty strokes, Rahm recorded a 9.

Full Leaderboard Players Championship 2022

Jon Rahm cards 9 on a par-4

Categories
European Tour

Rahm eyeing historic hat-trick on home soil

Photo: Getty Images

Tournament Preview

Jon Rahm is chasing history on two fronts as he tees it up on home soil at this week’s 2021 Acciona Open de España presented by Madrid.

The World Number One lifted the trophy in 2018 and 2019 before last season’s edition was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and he is now looking to join Seve Ballesteros as the only three-time winner of the event in the European Tour era.

Sir Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam, both former World Number Ones, and eight-time European Tour Number One Colin Montgomerie are the only players to have won a European Tour event outside of the Major and World Golf Championships in three consecutive editions and Rahm is also looking to join that elite company at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.

Rahm back on his home soil

Rahm represented his country in the European Boys’ Team Championship, European Amateur Team Championship and Eisenhower Trophy as an amateur, while also winning a multitude of events at age group level. To cap that with a victory at his national Open was a very proud moment for the 26-year-old and he is delighted to be once again playing on home soil.

Rafa Cabrera Bello believes the good scores are “right around the corner” as he prepares to tee it up on home soil. The 37-year-old first played in his home Open in 2002 but had his best result in the last staging two years ago when he finished second to countryman and now World Number One Rahm.

With a Rolex Series event among his three European Tour wins and a Ryder Cup appearance under his belt, the Spaniard clearly has the game to get back to the very highest echelons of the sport, and he believes patience is the key to achieving that ambition.

Rahm is joined in the field by Ryder Cup teammate Bernd Wiesberger and vice captain Luke Donald as this week marks the start of three consecutive events in Spain on the European Tour, with next week’s Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters being followed by the Mallorca Golf Open, making it six tournaments in Spain on the 2021 Race to Dubai.

Player Quotes

Jon Rahm: “It would be very unique. I know names like Ollie (José María Olazábal), he couldn’t win it and I know he would have loved to have done it. I would hope to be able to get to a third not only to tie Seve but to win it three times in a row.

“It doesn’t matter what event it is, not many people have been able to win one three times in a row so I’m hoping I can get it done – it would be truly my honour.

“I was able to win at many different levels as an amateur but to be able to end it winning the pro event was very special for me. It’s coming back home that’s important. It’s very fun to play in front of the crowd, they’re very golf hungry in this country. Especially after Covid and the pandemic they haven’t really had the opportunity to enjoy many sporting events so I’m hoping we can put on a good show for them.

“For a Spanish player they are important. Both of them are iconic in each way: I have a chance to win three in a row and then Valderrama is Valderrama. It’s an iconic golf course, it’s an iconic stop on the European Tour and it would be amazing to get my first win there.”

Rafa Cabrera Bello: “It obviously has a lot of history within Europe but I think to all Spaniards it has a special place in our hearts.

“When you’re a kid and the biggest event you can play is the Spanish Amateur and every Spanish amateur championship there is and this being the pinnacle of Spain’s golf – the biggest event you can win in Spain for golf, regardless of everything else. I’ve had some success in the past in this event, it has a special place in my heart and hopefully I can lift the trophy some day.

“I always enjoy a lot playing in Spain. I always feel the support of the crowd, Madrid is one of my favourite cities and the fans always come out in big numbers here so you always feel the love and their encouragement. 

“It’s been a hard two years. Obviously I’ve dropped down a lot on the world rankings and the scores haven’t been going the way I want. There have been some moments where I’ve really felt a little lost and not understanding why. I don’t feel like that right now. I know my game is much better, I know I’m hitting the ball much better and I know the good scores are right around the corner.

“I just have to be patient, it’s something I hate to do but that’s the only way, just be patient, keep working, keep working on building my confidence again and trusting myself and I know the scores will come.”

Bernd Wiesberger: “It is weird because there was a lot of hype and a lot going on over the last few weeks ahead of the Ryder Cup, so you are on such a high coming into the week, during the week, and then trying to get into the day job as you say, it is kind of difficult.

“That week brings a lot of excitement for me to push for 2023, it’s an unbelievable motivator to play well and to make the team again, and that helps motivate me coming into this week after the Ryder Cup and to be here playing in Madrid. It’s the first time I have been to Madrid, I have never played a golf tournament here, it’s a lovely course and I am looking forward to the week and the tournament. 

“I had to kind of reset the goals a little bit. Not only short term but the long term because I dropped a little bit in the world rankings, so I want to make up a bit of ground there to get closer to the top 50 and try to qualify early for the first Major of the year at Augusta so that is a big goal, especially for the end of the year. I believe I am 13th in the Race to Dubai, so I am trying to push in those last four events that I play until the end of the year to see if I can pick up a few spots as well.

“I think that is what’s nice about the European Tour, you get a lot of different tasks on the golf course from golf course design to surroundings, weather as well, fairly different to what the guys faced last week at Dunhill to then come here now, so you have to adapt and that is what is exciting about the European Tour.”

Press Release from European Tour Communications

Categories
PGA Tour

Jon Rahm: “If the putter gets a little hot, you’re going to put some good low scores..”

OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND - AUGUST 26: Jon Rahm of Spain walks from the first green to the second tee during the first round of the BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club on August 26, 2021 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Q. Talk about the round of golf; it seemed like the course was very gettable with the soft greens today.

JON RAHM: It was. It’s a lengthy golf course. You’re going to have a lot of long irons into some of the holes. If you can put it in the fairway when it’s as soft as it is, you can be aggressive. Had a great ball-striking day and made a couple of good putts early on and had it going early and continued the mojo throughout the day.

I think not huge numbers of bogeys can happen easily. Rough is thick, long holes, you can make a bad swing and have a tough one for par like, for example, Tony did on 13. It’s not like he really missed a shot, but he had pretty much an impossible up-and-down. If you manage it well and hit it as well as I did today, you can post a low one.

Q. Tell me about how you approach this type of event when you’re playing with Tony who’s ahead of you in the FedExCup standings and Cameron is right behind you but you’re also playing against 67 other guys in the field. Do you look at that this early?

JON RAHM: No. I pretty much know if I win I’ll be going No. 1 to next week, so that’s the goal. I’m not thinking about points or anything. I’m just trying to hit the best shot I can and move on to the next one.

Q. Last week being in contention, coming here, the Monday finish, everything that comes with leading a golf tournament is exhausting. How are you, and how do you keep your energy up but you still have lots of golf to play?

JON RAHM: Luckily I had a month off, so it helps. Those guys that went to the Olympics and played Memphis and played more events than me may be a little bit more tired, but really that shouldn’t be an excuse in my case. Just rest and recovery, knowing what to do properly.

On Tuesday when I came to the course I didn’t do too much. I didn’t even venture out on the golf course because I knew it was a tough walk. I just hit some balls, a little bit of putting and chipping and went home.

On days like that, Monday afternoon, Tuesday, what I really do, and I really, really prioritize, is hydration. When you know you’re going to have weeks like last week, humid this week and humid next week, if you get dehydrated in the middle it’s going to affect you coming the next few weeks. What I’m doing yesterday and today and tomorrow and every single day and this afternoon is going to help me be able to stay in good form, so I think that’s the most important key. Eating enough calories and drinking enough, as well.

Rahm laughs off his finish from last week

Q. You had a disappointing finish last week and yet you come right out here, bang, right up at the top. What does it say about your ability to do that?

JON RAHM: I must say, for all those Ted Lasso fans out there, be a goldfish. (Laughter).

If you haven’t seen the show, you’ve just got to check it out. I feel like almost everybody knows. Have you seen the show?

Q. I have not.

JON RAHM: It’s basically happiest animal in the world is a goldfish. You know why? He’s got a 10-second memory. Played great golf last week, just a couple bad swings down the stretch, and that’s the most important thing to remember.

Q. Who’s the best goldfish out here?

JON RAHM: Oh, without a doubt Dustin Johnson. He has the ability to forget unfortunate moments better than anyone else.

Q. When you look back to your scores from I would say Memorial on, what are you doing in practice? Are you maintaining? What do you do? It’s been a nice run of no real dips.

JON RAHM: Just always trying to get better. That’s all I can say. I think the bigger thing has been the putter. I found a putter that really works for me that I’m comfortable with. I would say ball striking is probably not that different before and after Memorial, but my putting stats are guaranteed to be a lot better, and that’s the key difference. When you’re hitting it as good as I have the last few months, giving myself plenty of opportunities, if the putter gets a little hot, you’re going to put some good low scores.

Q. Have you ever been surprised by a bad round?

JON RAHM: No. I mean, it happens. It is what it is.

Q. It happens, but what surprises you more, a really good one or a really bad one?

JON RAHM: Neither surprises me. You want to play good, but sometimes it doesn’t happen.

Interview Transcript from ASAPSPORTS.com

Categories
PGA Tour Champions

Jon Rahm and his “unfinished business”

JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 23: Jon Rahm of Spain looks on from the ninth tee during the final round of THE NORTHERN TRUST, the first event of the FedExCup Playoffs, at Liberty National Golf Club on August 23, 2021 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

World Number One and U.S. Open Champion Jon Rahm will return to the world-famous Real Club Valderrama this October after confirming his participation in the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters.

Two of the 26-year-old’s seven European Tour victories have come on Spanish soil, and Rahm now has his sights on capturing another home title on one of Europe’s most-renowned golf courses in the seventh edition of the tournament, from October 14-17.

In his last appearance at Valderrama in 2019, which became the first course on Continental Europe to host the Ryder Cup in 1997, Rahm finished runner-up to Christiaan Bezuidenhout.

“I have some unfinished business at Valderrama, that’s for sure,”

said Rahm, referencing his runner-up finish two years ago. “As a Spaniard, it’s a golf course where we all want to win. 

“As soon as you arrive you get a real sense of the history of the venue and the great moments that have taken place there over the last 30 years. To be a part of that would really be an honour.

“I’ve had nothing but great experiences of playing in front of home crowds. Spanish golf fans are truly special, and I can’t wait to see them lining the fairways again.”

Since turning professional in 2017, Rahm has amassed 13 victories across the European Tour and PGA TOUR, also adding a Major title – in June’s U.S. Open at Torrey Pines – to his four Rolex Series victories.

In 2019, Rahm won the Race to Dubai, becoming the first Spaniard since Seve Ballesteros in 1991 to finish the year as European Tour Number One.

Press Release by European Tour Communications

Categories
PGA Tour Top Tours

JON RAHM: “If anybody should be rested, it should be me.”

Jon Rahm finishes T3 at the 2021 Northern Trust, first event of the FedEx Cup Play Offs

THE NORTHERN TRUST

August 23, 2021

Jon Rahm

Jersey City, New Jersey, USA

Liberty National Golf Club
Quick Quotes

Q. How would you characterize the day?

JON RAHM: I haven’t been able to digest it. My son put a smile on my face so at least I’m not in a terrible mood.

You know, I think it’s going to be very easy to focus on maybe 15 on. Even though I was I did not make a putt all day. I did what I had to do tee-to-green and it could have been a lot better than what it was. I felt like I could have had a bigger lead and that wasn’t the case.

The putts on 9 and 10, they were good putts. Speed of the greens was a little different today and I couldn’t quite get to it.

And then, you know 15, it’s the one I keep going to. I hit every single one of those five shots the way I wanted to, and that’s the unfortunate part. That bunker, the wind didn’t push the ball the way I thought, and I think that was the difference.

Q. I know it’s hard to focus on not winning today but there are a lot of positives out of the week. How do you take the short turnaround, how do you look at the positives and take it into the BMW next week?

JON RAHM: If anybody should be rested, it should be me. I just haven’t thought about it too much. You know, I played great golf and I’ve played only what four holes all week over par, and usually if I do that, I probably would have been a lot more under par.

I don’t know, it just hurts to think about it a little bit too much. It’s the second time I’m going into contention in the back nine, and the same bunker, same hole screws me over again. Similar tee shot, different wind conditions but similar tee shot. That’s the upsetting part, come up short when I had a good chance.

And then 17 and 18, I didn’t make my best swings. But like you said, you know, short turnaround, one more week next week to finish as high as possible for the FedExCup for Atlanta, which is the goal.

Interview transcrpt by ASAP Sports

Categories
Knowledge Live Top Tours

Official World Golf Ranking: Jon Rahm holds on to first place

Jon Rahm leads the Official World Ranking one more week, after the 2021 Northern Trust, in New Jersey.
The latest from our concise analysis, to brief you on how the key events of the last week have effected the official world golf rankings.

Top 5 OWGR Leaderboard

# Name Nationality Points Total Points Gained Events
1 Jon Rahm ESP 486.08 279.31 48
2 Dustin Johnson USA 374.33 123.75 43
3 Collin Morikawa USA 444.23 312.25 52
4 Xander Schauffele USA 348.07 210.59 47
5 Justin Thomas USA 369.26 181.55 52
Jon Rahm leads in the official world golf ranking this week. The Spaniard’s points average is 10.1267 at the time of publication. Rahm’s rank has not changed since the last count. ​ Next up on the official world golf ranking list is Dustin Johnson, 37 years old, at rank 2. The American has, in comparison to last week, not gone up or down in the rankings. Coming in third this week is Collin Morikawa, 37, with a points average of 8.5428. Michael Hirmer has made the biggest leap this week in the official world golf rankings. has managed to jump 580 places in the world ranking list, and is now sitting at 765 rank. The German started last week at rank 1345, with a current point average of 0.13. The No.1 Englishman in the official world golf rankings is currently Tyrrell Hatton, in place 13 and has remained unchanged since last week.