Opinion
Top-ranked Jon Rahm back in California desert after 2-year break
Jon Rahm is again within the California desert for The American Categorical after a two-year break. It feels as if the top-ranked Spaniard by no means left his Arizona residence.
“I might say the demographic may be a bit bit older right here, nevertheless it just about is the Scottsdale of California,” Rahm mentioned Wednesday.
After profitable the 2018 match in a playoff and ending sixth the next yr, the burly former Arizona State participant couldn’t match the occasion into his schedule in 2020 and was unable to play final yr due to a minor again harm.
“I’m completely satisfied to be again,” Rahm mentioned. “It’s a spot I’ve been coming to for a really very long time, performed in school. … So, I really feel snug. I dwell within the desert.”
Rahm opened the yr two weeks in the past in Hawaii by ending at 33 beneath in a one-stroke loss to Cameron Smith within the Sentry Event of Champions.
“It was a little bit of a bittersweet feeling as a result of you’ll be able to’t assist to be ok with the sport and the way good I performed, however I nonetheless completed second,” Rahm mentioned.
He’ll open Thursday at La Quinta Nation Membership, taking part in alongside Tony Finau and two amateurs. They are going to play PGA West’s Nicklaus Event Course on Friday and the adjoining Stadium Course on the weekend.
“If the wind doesn’t decide up, you understand you’re going to should go on the market and put up a rating,” Rahm mentioned. “However everyone knows it, so it’s virtually like a inexperienced mild to be aggressive.”
He’ll head to the coast subsequent week for the Farmers Insurance coverage Open at Torrey Pines, the location of his U.S. Open victory final summer time and his first PGA Tour title in 2017. The San Diego venue has a house really feel.
“That shoreline jogs my memory of residence fairly a bit,” Rahm mentioned. “The climate is just like what I grew up in.”
FILE – Jon Rahm, of Spain, reacts to creating his birdie putt on the 18th inexperienced in the course of the closing spherical of the U.S. Open Golf Championship, June 20, 2021, at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego. Rahm says he normally pumps his fist downward. This was upward towards his household throughout the inexperienced in a company field.
(AP Picture/Gregory Bull, File)
FedExCup champion Patrick Cantlay is coming off a fourth-place end within the Event of Champions. Final yr, the previous UCLA participant closed with a Stadium-record 61 to complete a shot behind winner Si Woo Kim.
“I really feel like I knocked off a little bit of rust in Maui after not taking part in for a great little bit,” Cantlay mentioned. “I’m going to have a bunch of begins right here arising, in order that’s thrilling to try to get right into a groove and get the yr began off proper.”
Ranked fourth, Cantlay will open at La Quinta in a gaggle with Scottie Scheffler.
“That is great spot for me to begin the yr,” Scheffler mentioned. “Exterior of making an attempt to be at Kapalua yearly, this can be a good place to begin within the 48 states. Nice climate. Golf programs are in fine condition.”
Event host Phil Mickelson is making his nineteenth look within the occasion he received in 2002 and 2004. He’ll play alongside Rickie Fowler the primary three rounds, additionally beginning at La Quinta. Fowler is making his first begin since his spouse gave delivery to their first youngster in November.
HEIGHT RECORD
James Hart du Preez, at 6-foot-10, will grow to be the tallest participant in PGA Tour historical past when he tees off Thursday.
The 26-year-old South African acquired a sponsor exemption. He led the Sunshine Tour in driving distance final season at 373 yards.
England’s Jon Thomson set the peak file at 6-9 final yr within the British Open.
SPONSOR DEAL
The PGA Tour mentioned Wednesday that American Categorical will proceed because the title sponsor by way of 2028.
“Extending our partnership with American Categorical secures the way forward for PGA Tour golf and its impression within the Coachella Valley for years to return,” PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan mentioned.
