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Jon Rahm might have been the most unlikely casualty at the halfway stage of the PGA Championship and the Spaniard admits he is as surprised as anyone by another mediocre major display.
Rahm struggled to a T45 finish in his Masters defence last month and a missed cut at Valhalla continues an abject start to his major season.
A terrible start in Kentucky set the tone for the former world No.1. Rahm was four over par after his first six holes on Thursday and battled admirably to card a resilient opening one-under 70.
But the cut line fell at -1 following a two hour fog delay on Saturday and Rahm had failed to make the birdie he needed in his final four holes, missing the mark by one at level par.
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A total of 78 players made the weekend, a record in men’s majors, but Rahm, Ludvig Aberg and Tiger Woods were among the biggest names to miss out.
“Surprised,” Rahm said of his disappointing 36 holes. “Surprised because of how I felt like I was hitting it in Australia and Singapore and in the week off before coming here, especially off the tee, hitting great drives – and that’s what’s been my downfall. I just couldn’t find a fairway off the tee.
“You can make birdies off the fairway, but off the rough, it’s a tough golf course to score on and that’s kind of what happened to me.”
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Rahm is yet to win a tournament since his Masters victory in 2023 and his poor showings halfway through the major season have raised questions over his preparations since joining the LIV Golf League.
He has finished inside the top ten in every LIV event since his switch from the PGA Tour, but has now missed his first cut in 18 majors.
“When you’re playing bad you kind need the extra motivation some kind of way,” he added. “It was on my mind and the swing wasn’t quite there, but with the putter, I felt comfortable. I was just begging to give myself some kind of a chance and I could never give myself anything on the last three holes.”
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