sport news The Masters 2024: Frustrated Jon Rahm stalls on moving day with defending ... trends now
From Jon Rahm, a man in need of speed, the only progress to observe on moving day was that he did not go backwards.
What a peculiar return to Augusta this has been for Spain’s former world No 1, whose defence of the title continues to be desperately underwhelming.
His third-round 72, which kept him at five-over-par, might be viewed through the lens of a hard-baked course that gave up precious few scoring opportunities to the early starters, but there the reasons for mitigation run a little dry.
He chuntered, he grunted and he even took to mocking himself during this loop. All of the latter could be found in generous sprinkles on the par-five second hole, when for the first time in three days he found the fairway from the tee and raised his arms in celebration.
This being a fairly miserable week for Rahm, he then launched his second shot into the greenside bunker and continued his streak of pars at a hole that has been the second easiest on the course.
Jon Rahm's defence of the Masters title continues to be desperately underwhelming
Spain's former world No 1 shot a third-round 72, which kept him at five-over-par for the week
It has been that kind of trip for the Spaniard. He arrived here with a point to prove after his defection to LIV, which naturally has also raised the usual questions over whether those resort courses are sufficient preparation for Augusta.
The form of Bryson DeChambeau so far might cut that debate off at the knees, and yet Rahm is a different kind of beast.
It has long seemed the case that this fiery character feeds off intensity. That he needs it. Week to week, he doesn’t receive so much of that heat on LIV, so you might reasonably query if he came to the Masters a little undercooked, but there is also a thought to be had about whether he is sensitive to changing perceptions of him.
Walking a few holes in proximity to him on Saturday, there was no obviously adverse reaction from the galleries to Rahm, because this country club isn’t that sort of place. But as a proud advocate of tradition for so long, only to then cash in on a £400million offer to join a start-up, it has been speculated within the game that he is the type to worry about being seen as a sell-out.
Such is Rahm’s quality, you suspect he will adapt and return to his best at the majors before long, but it won’t be this one. Indeed, that was demonstrated here, when there was no time to waste if he was to reset his chances.
