JON RAHM struck a mighty blow against the LIV upstarts with a Masters triumph that also provided an emotional link to his boyhood idol, Seve Ballesteros.
Rahm easily saw off LIV rebels Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson and Patrick Reed on a day when Seve – who died tragically of brain cancer in 2011 – would have celebrated his 66th birthday.
Jon Rahm ran away with the Masters on an epic Sunday at Augusta
Rahm held of the challenge of LIV rivals to claim a four-shot victory
Rahn celebrated with wife Kelley and son Kepa on the 18th green
And this is also the 40th anniversary of the first of Ballesteros’ two Masters victories – ushering in a year where European golfers have consistently punched way above their weight at Augusta.
Seve – who loved to put one over on the Americans, at Augusta and in the Ryder Cup – was the first European winner here.
Rahm became the tenth player from the other side of the Atlantic to pull on a Green Jacket, with that posse of golfing greats sharing 15 victories between them.
Rahm is also the fourth Spanish golfer in that band of brothers, after Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazabal, and Sergio Garcia.
That is a formidable foursome.
And there were plenty of examples of that famous Spanish flair, as a final round 69 carried the Basque battler – Rahm hails from the northern village of Barrika, population 1,500 – to a four shot victory.
Rahmbo admitted he was very conscious of trying to continue the great Spanish tradition here, as he talked about it before teeing off on Thursday.
He said: “I’m obviously very aware that it’s the 40th anniversary since Seve’s second win out here. So it’s something that’s important to me, right?
Rahm was presented with his iconic Green Jacket by last year’s winner Scottie Scheffler
Rahm edged out playing partner Brooks Koepka on the final day at Augusta
“And I think when Ollie won in 1999, Sergio was making his first start in the Masters, as an amateur. And when Sergio won it was my first Masters as well.
“I hope history repeats itself and I get to win some day.”
This was THAT day
Rahm, 28, rarely had an anxious moment as he swatted aside playing partner Brooks Koepka and dismissed a final day charge from his fellow LIV rebel Mickelson.
Three time Master champion Mickelson stormed into a share of second place with a sensational final round 65.
That was an astonishing performance from a 52-year-old who has shown no form since becoming the oldest Major winner ever at the 2021 USPGA, before accepting a $200million signing on for from LIV’s Saudi Arabian backers
Mickelson even sidestepped last year’s Masters after causing uproar by describing his Saudi paymasters as “scary motherf***ers”.
He can still be a bit frightening himself when he gets the bit between his teeth as a course that has provided him with so many happy memories.
Reed, the 2018 champion, also made a final day run with a closing 68, but had to settle for a share of fourth with Jordan Spieth.
The final day spectators also witnessed an amazing collapse by four-time Major winner Koepka, who only secured joint second with two late birdies, once his shot at the title had gone.
Koepka seemed to have one arm in the green jacket after leading from day one, when he was one of three players to open with a 65.
He took the solo lead two holes into the second round, and was there to be shot at from that point on.
But the writing was on the hole just a few minutes after he returned to the course yesterday morning to complete the 13 holes left from the rain-delayed third round.
Koepka was four shots clear of Rahm at 13 under par – but he faced the nervous prospect of an eleven footer for par at the seventh, while his playing partner had a birdie chance for three feet closer.
Kopeka missed. Rahm made his.
And from that point onward the momentum was always with the world No 3, who was the great hope of a victory for the golfing establishment over the LIV money-grabbers.
Koepka still clung to a two shot lead after 54 holes, but Rahm’s birdie at the third and a bogey from the American at the fourth brought them level.
Another dropped shot at the short sixth menat Kopeka had to look at a leaderboard without his name on top of it for the first time in almost 72 hours.
It did not make for pretty viewing. And neither did his golf as he plunged to four over for his round through 12 holes, to fall three shots off the lead.
It would have been easy to blame the fact that this was a round too far for Koepka, who only has to play three rounds in each event on the breakaway circuit.
But the flying finishes from Mickelson and Reed meant that was no excuse. He was just way below his best.
Rahm knew he did not have to do anything special as the rest failed to land a meaningful blow – but he almost did that anyway, as he went close to chipping in for an eagle at the par five eighth.
Most pundits say the Masters only really begins once the leaders get to the back nine.
Not this time. It was already done and dusted, and Rahm made doubly sure with back-to-back birdies at 13 and 14.
He was simply a class above the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an average golfer do?
The average golfer shoots around 80-85 yards with their driver.
What is the most crucial shot in golf
The putt is the most important shot for any golfer. The putt is the most important shot for a golfer. If you don’t hit it perfectly, you will likely lose the hole (and perhaps the game).
Can I improve my golf game without practicing?
It is vital to practice regularly if you want to improve your game. However, if you don’t possess the time or resources to consistently perform drills, you can still improve. Remember to always practice what you want to do. To put it another way, if your goal is to play faster you should work towards playing faster. The same goes for if your goal is to hit the target further.
Is it possible to be better by watching pros play?
Watching pro players play makes you better at video games. You can improve your game by studying how other players play, and learning from their mistakes. You can also learn from the mistakes of professional players to improve your game.
Are there any reasons to have a membership at a golf club?
You don’t need to join the golf club. You will have access to all facilities on the course such as the driving ranges and the putting greens.
Is it possible that a professional Golfer can make a living from the game?
Yes, it is possible for a professional golfer to make money. However, it requires hard work and dedication. There are professionals who make millions of dollar each year.
Statistics
- However, if you go in thinking that you will get all the way down to a 10, you will likely stunt your progress because your expectations are way out of line. (practical-golf.com)
- By adding 10 more yards to all their golf shots amateurs will increase the percentage of greens they hit by 8 – 10%. (golfinsideruk.com)
- Shot Scope’s mapping data reveals 72% of danger is at the front of the green (sand or water), whereas there’s only 28% behind. (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
- The blade aim at impact controls 92% of the ball’s start line, so prioritise face aim as a place to start (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
- If you have 14 attempts and convert as little as 50% of them into Pars – you can double bogey the remaining 4 holes and still shoot 87 for your round. (golfmadesimple.com)
External Links
amzn.to
collegeofgolf.keiseruniversity.edu
flagstick.com
faziodesign.com
How To
How can I improve my golf game at home
Practice anywhere, anytime!
You can use any type of equipment you want, from a simple putter to a full set of clubs. There are many different types of golf training devices available online, such as putting trainers, swing analyzers, and even virtual reality systems.
Regular practice is the best way to improve your game at work. The most effective way to do this is to find a local course near where you live or work. This allows you to practice whenever you feel like it without having to worry about finding a partner or waiting until you get home.
You can practice what you learn best by practicing. If you play frequently, try playing twice a month or once a month. It doesn’t matter how many hours you spend practicing; all that matters is to continue the practice.
It is important to choose a golf club that fits your needs. You could inflict injury on yourself or cause damage to your favorite golf club. You should always read customer reviews before purchasing any item. Consider what size grip you prefer.
Remember to warm up before you hit the ball. At first, it might be difficult to know how much force should you apply when swinging the club. Warming up allows you to determine how powerful you need to hit the golf to get certain distances.
