Jon Rahm has had first-hand experience this year of just how precarious a game golf can be. From contending in absolutely every tournament to rarely making an appearance on the leaderboard and barely producing any chances of victory. It is the first time since 2017 that he has not finished in the top 10 of any of the four majors. From being number 1 in the world for 43 consecutive weeks to number 6, where he sits currently. From dominating with an iron fist from round one on every course to having to fight to make the cut.
However, the greatness of Spain’s number one golfer is such that he managed to battle his way to a victory at the Mexico Open. Slumps in golf can be terribly cruel, just ask Jordan Spieth, who endured 4 years without a title when it looked like he was capable of breaking the records of none other than Tiger Woods. Winning on the PGA Tour when you can’t find your A-game is something only a few chosen ones can do. Rahm is one of them.
The root of these struggles? His putter. The flat stick has been stone cold for the player from Barrika all year. Rahm still doesn’t seem to have fully acquainted himself with his new putter after moving from TaylorMade to Callaway early in 2021. It is true that his US Open victory came after his equipment change, but the stats don’t lie. Last season he finished 181st on the PGA Tour for putts per round and 112th for 3-putt avoidance.
Putting, the most psychological part of this game, capable of inciting rage in even the most level-headed of golfers, is having its wicked way with Rahm. Something had to change. He needed to exorcise the demons once and for all. Luckily for him, that is exactly what happened the last time he teed it up. A dream 18 at Wentworth, a 10-under 62, took him close to the title at the BMW PGA Championship for what would have been a historic comeback. In the end, he finished one shot shy of Shane Lowry, but the confidence he will take from that round is immeasurable. He holed 43 metres of putts on a Sunday when we saw a glimpse of the former world number one at his best. 7 birdies and 2 eagles were enough to equal the course record on the hallowed English course.
For Rahm, Madrid could not come at a better time. He is intent on rescuing his roller-coaster season. The Spaniard only has one thing in mind at the 2022 ACCIONA Open presented by Madrid, victory. A firm fan favourite, as we saw last year in the Spanish capital, two-time champion of the event, and riding a wave of confidence from Wentworth; Spanish golf’s greatest ambassador is back. Let’s make the most of it
