Former world No. 1 golfer Jon Rahm is facing a challenging period following his victory at the 2023 Masters Tournament, struggling to maintain peak performance in subsequent major events.
During Thursday’s first round of the current Masters tournament, Rahm experienced a frustrating setback on the ninth hole. After hitting his tee shot significantly right and into the woods, he reacted visibly, releasing his club in frustration. He momentarily considered snapping the club over his knee before realizing he would need it to complete the round.
His first-round score of 3-over par placed him tied for 63rd position. Rahm recorded five bogeys throughout the course.
Projections from Datagolf.com indicate that a 3-over par score might be the threshold needed to advance to the final two days, although there’s a possibility – approximately 30% – that the cut line could shift to +4 or even decrease to +2.
Rahm’s decision to join LIV Golf in recent years has placed him third in the current LIV Golf standings. He boasts an impressive season record thus far, finishing tied for second at Riyadh and consistently remaining within the top 10.
Joaquin Niemann and Sergio Garcia currently hold the first and second positions in the LIV Golf standings respectively.
Last year’s Masters saw Rahm finish tied for 45th, and he recently acknowledged the pressure stemming from the ongoing conflict between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.
“There was a few times where there was a lot of questions that I didn’t really have an answer to, and I tried to, and I just really didn’t,” Rahm stated via The Athletic. “Kind of like … the state of the game and what’s happening. We don’t know. No one knows. We all want a solution, and it’s hard to give one.”
Meanwhile, Justin Rose concluded the first round in the lead at 7-under par. Corey Conners, Scottie Scheffler, and Ludvig Aberg are tied for second place at 4-under.
Here’s a quick rundown of key standings:
- 1st: Joaquin Niemann
- 2nd: Sergio Garcia
- 3rd: Jon Rahm
