Jon Rahm says tour pal blanked him at The Masters

Jon Rahm came up well short in his Masters title defence, his first major championship since joining the LIV Golf League in December.

The Spaniard, who won his second major at Augusta National 12 months ago, fared somewhat differently this year, finishing on nine-over-par – the same mark as two-time champion and fellow Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal.

Indeed, of those who made the cut, only ten finished worse off.

Afterwards, Rahm was asked how it been reconnecting with some of his former PGA Tour colleagues for the first time since his money-spinning switch late last year, specifically if everybody was cordial towards him.

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His answer? Very interesting indeed.

“Some did,” said Rahm. “I expected it. And then, there was someone else who I expected to be a little tougher. One of them hugged me.

“I think that, among all the relationships I have, it has been everything what I expected. My friends are still my friends.

“And then someone, with whom I was very cordial and had a positive relationship, has not even looked at me.

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Whilst he did not name the player in question, he added: “If someone changes their opinion of me, it is more their problem than mine. I am not worried. I knew it was going to happen but I didn’t know who”.

In terms of his performance, Rahm was left to bemoan a tough week on the greens, saying that he “never really had the pace” of them and had “a couple too many three-putts”.

“It’s been nice to have some receptions walking up to some tees no matter what my score was and seeing the appreciation,” he added.

“But when you don’t have your best week, it’s hard to have to stay now to put the jacket on somebody else and never really ever have a chance.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor