News
Jon Rahm is Spain’s fourth Masters champion
I started with “first Basque” and then moved to “fourth Iberian,” before finally settling on the flag that most associate with Jon Rahm, supremely accurate or not. Now that geo-political elements are out of the way, it’s time to talk about the winner of the 2023 Masters tournament. You remember him: the guy who began Thursday with a double-bogey six, the way all champions like to begin a tournament.
Thursday was a normal round of golf, beyond everyone’s expectations. Rahm overcame the aforementioned, four-putt first green immediately, with birdies at the second and third holes. It reminded long-time followers of the manner in which Tiger Woods redeemed a first-nine holes of 40 with a second-nine of 30 in 1997, on the way to his first title. Rahm continued to play marvelous golf to the final hole, adding five birdies, and an eagle at the eighth. His 65 was tied with two other golfers for the top spot on the board. Even with him was the fellow who would spend an extraordinary amount of time at his side for the weekend, Brooks Koepka.
Friday saw the arrival of the rains, and the extraordinary fortune gifted to the PM/AM wave of golfers. Those who played early on day two, were able to complete the majority, if not all, of their round of golf. The AM/PM half of the field was extended to noon on Saturday, when the cut was established at three-over par. Koepka was one of the fortunate ones, and his second-round 67 brought him to twelve under par, and what appeared to be a massive lead. Masters winners will admit that if a halfway leader can add rounds of 70-70 to his total, he will earn a championship.
Rahm completed his second round on Saturday morning, and was able to overcome two bogies with five birdies. His 69 kept him within sight of Koepka, who was physically healthy for the first time in five years, and prepared to challenge for a fifth major title. Gone for the weekend were familiar names like Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Bryson DeChambeau, and former champions Danny Willett, Sergio Garcia, and Mike Weir. Tiger Woods made the cut on the number, but the hills, rain, and cool temperatures proved to be too much for the five-time champion, and he withdrew during the third round.
Saturday will forever be remembered for the toppling of three trees adjacent to the 17th tee at Augusta National. By grace, no one was injured, but the competition was again postponed. Golfers near the top of the leader board would play 25 holes on Sunday, and their endurance and mental fortitude would be examined to the greatest degree. Play was in threesomes for a third consecutive round, to guarantee that the leaders would be able to begin play a bit after two pm.
JON RAHM: I thought it was good. It’s not easy. Cold and windy, wet. Not the easiest. Obviously I started really good making those putts on 7, 8, 9 and the par putt on 10, and after that just couldn’t quite get it going. I wasn’t making bad swings, just a couple of bad wind gusts at the wrong time and ended up seeing myself in tough positions. But feeling good, playing good, swinging well, so hopefully can keep it going.
… with the wind we’re going to have today, the main thing is staying committed to whatever shot you pick. Have a clear picture and commit to it. It’s always going to be better to maybe have the lower percentage shot but commit to it than the higher percentage not and not committed. Should be a fun afternoon.
Koepka and Rahm each signed for a one-over round of 73, ensuring that they would again be paired in the final twosome. Birdies were at a premium during the third 18, with only three scores below 70 turned in among the 53 golfers who completed play. Viktor Hovland, the third golfer to shoot 65 on Thursday, remained in the chase until the final round, when a first-nine score of 39 pushed him away from the leaders. As Sunday drew to a close, a familiar name shot up the board, at the age of 52.
Phil Mickelson thrilled the golf world in 2021, when he defeated Koepka down the stretch to claim a second PGA Championship at Kiawah Island. Two years later, the lefthander turned in a round for the ages and the ageless, as he close with 65 at the Masters. Mickelson posted three birdies against one bogey on the first nine, but the three-time Masters winner turned electric on the second nine. Five birdies coming home brought him a 31 and moved him to eight-under par on the week. When he finished, Rahm and Koepka had just entered Amen Corner, where dreams may delight or dash in one swing. Phil Mickelson had to like his chances, knowing Augusta’s history.
JON RAHM: I thought 8 was a key birdie. I didn’t expect that bogey on 9. That was a couple of good swings I didn’t expect.
I had to get through Amen Corner even par. That’s what I was looking at. Obviously Phil and Jordan were making birdies and finishing strong, and they were finishing their round as we were finishing 10. Making sure I didn’t put myself in a difficult spot on 10, 11, 12 was the key, and then 13 with that right-to-left wind is when I could turn a little bit and get in the attack, and that’s what I did.
The gap between the leaders had evaporated, as Koepka played his first nine holes in plus-three figures. Rahm turned to the second nine in minus one, and for all the world, it looked like a two-man competition until Mickelson entered the picture. Brooks Koepka played through Amen Corner in even par figures, posting par at eleven, bogey at twelve, birdie at the newly-elongated thirteenth hole. He would not make another par until the 18th hole, recalling precisely what makes him an exciting golfer to follow.
It was Rahm who gave notice that he had what a Masters champion possesses. His two-putt par from forty feet distant at twelve advanced him three in front of Koepka, and his birdie at thirteen kept him there. At fourteen, the hole known as Chinese Fir, Rahm won the tournament. His drive was played up the right side, into the first cut. With a tree limb forcing a low play, Rahm hit a punch-cut to the perfect point on the putting surface, The ball turned right and eased its way within four feet of the hole. As close as his approach was, Rahm’s putt for birdie tried to say out. It moved right to left with enthusiasm, but caught enough open air to allow gravity to complete its work. The birdie moved Rahm to 12-under par. Koepka’s second bogey in three holes dropped him to third place, at seven-under par.
Jon Rahm extends his lead with a masterful birdie at No. 14. #themasters pic.twitter.com/bQmN74Wnna
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 9, 2023
Brooks Koepka would not go quietly into the evening, however. He notched birdies at 15 and 16, regaining two lost shots and moving to within three strokes of Rahm, with two holes to play. At the 17th tee, Koepka’s patented fade did not materialize, and he found himself amid trees. He not only failed pick up a needed birdie, but lost another stroke to par, dropping back to minus eight. Rahm would start the 18th hole with a four-shot advantage and, for a moment, it seemed that he would need each of the quadrilateral. His tee shot went hard left, but was thrown rightward by the trees, leaving him a long way home, with a clear path.
Rahm punched a long iron up the fairway, leaving a pitch to the green. With the touch of a surgeon, he lofted a wedge over sand, to within five feet of the hole. His putt for par fell four inches down, and the 2021 US Open champion was now halfway to a career grand slam. As the green jacket was draped over his shoulders by 2022 champion Scottie Scheffler, Rahm’s thoughts were not on the menu for the 2024 Champions’ Dinner. Instead, he summoned an event that transpired in 1983, forty years back, before Rahm was born. He recalled the triumph of the first Spanish Masters champion, Seve Ballesteros, and waved to the heavens, thanking his predecessor for guiding him home, to victory.
A win for Spain. A win for Seve. #themasters pic.twitter.com/iU2L7nlVcV
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2023
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 PGA Championship
GolfWRX is on site this week at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, for the PGA Championship.
While we see fewer equipment changes and new gear seeding at major championships, we get a look at custom gear and looks into the bags of players we rarely see, which is just as exciting. In the case of the PGA Championship, this means a look at the gear some of the PGA Professionals who qualified for the tournament will be gaming, and LIV players, such as Jon Rahm and Patrick Reed.
Check out links to all our albums from Valhalla below and check back throughout the week as we continue to update.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Michael Block – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Patrick Reed – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Cam Smith – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brooks Koepka – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Josh Speight – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Takumi Kanaya – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Kyle Mendoza – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Adrian Meronk – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jordan Smith – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jeremy Wells – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jared Jones – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- John Somers – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Larkin Gross – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Tracy Phillips – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jon Rahm – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Keita Nakajima – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Kazuma Kobori – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- David Puig – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Ryan Van Velzen – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brad Marek – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Chris Gotterup – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Rich Beem WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Phil Mickelson – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Matt Dobyns – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Lucas Herbert – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jason Dufner – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- John Daly – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Taylor Gooch – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Dean Burmester – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Joaquin Niemann – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Dustin Johnson – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
Pullout Albums
- Ping putter covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Bettinardi covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Cameron putter covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Max Homa – Titleist 2 wood – 2024 PGA Championship
- Scotty Cameron experimental putter shaft by UST – 2024 PGA Championship
- Joaquin Niemann – new Ping putter – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brooks Koepka’s new Cameron putter – 2024 PGA Championship
- Rickie Fowler’s Cobra bag and Aerojet driver – 2024 PGA Championship
- Super Stroke grip – 2024 PGA Championship
- Tiger Woods – 2024 PGA Championship
- Michael Block’s new TaylorMade “Proto” 7-iron, from address – 2024 PGA Championship
- Odyssey putter covers – 2024 PGA Championship
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News
Morning 9: Is it Rory’s time? | Stricker WDs | Why Valhalla is a great major venue
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News
Tour Rundown: Rose blooms, Rory rolls
This week last year, I found myself praying to the weather goddesses and gods that Rochester would be spared their wrath over the next seven days. The 2023 Oak Hill PGA Championship (that was slated for August when the contract was signed) was on the horizon, and I wanted my region to show well. Things turned out fine, with all four seasons making an appearance, a PGA Professional (Blockie!) stealing hearts, and a proven champion in Koepka (although I was pulling for Viktor.)
This year, no concerns. Louisville will shine this week at Valhalla, but we’ve matters to consider before we look to four days of coverage this week. Nelly did not win on the LPGA this week, so who did? The PGA Tour held two events in the Carolinas, and Tour Champions celebrated a major event in Alabama. Four noteworthy events to run down, so let’s head to RunDownTown and take care of business.
LPGA @ Founders Cup: Rose blooms
There was a sense that Rose Zhang might have a role in the 2020s version of the LPGA. After winning everything there was in amateur golf, she came out and won her first tournament as a professional. That was last May and, let’s be honest, who among us thought it would take 12 months for Zhang to win again? Rhymes with hero, I know.
This week in New Jersey, eyes were on Nelly Korda, as she made a run at a sixth consecutive win on the LPGA circuit. Korda ran out of gas on Saturday, and that was just fine. Madelene Sagstrom and Zhang had turned the soiree at Upper Montclair into a battle of birdies. Gabriela Ruffels came third at nine-under par. No one else reached double digits under par but Sagstrom and Zhang. They didn’t just reach -10…they more than doubled it.
Sagstrom had the look of a winner with five holes left to play. She was three shots clear of Zhang, at 23-under par. The Swede played her closing quintet in plus-one, finishing at 22-deep, 13 shots ahead of Ruffels. That performance we’d anticipated from Zhang? It happened on Sunday. She closed with four birdies in five holes to snatch victory number two, by two shots. Spring is a lovely time for a Rose in bloom.
Take a look back at hole No. 1… @rosezhang is living life on the edge ? pic.twitter.com/o6z6SK7TRA
— LPGA (@LPGA) May 12, 2024
PGA Tour @ Wells Fargo: Rory the Fourth is crowned in Charlotte
Xander Schauffele is a likable lad. He has an Olympic gold medal on his shelf, and a few PGA Tour titles to his credit. Even X knows that even par won’t get much done in a final round unless conditions are brutal. They weren’t brutal at Quail Hollow on Sunday. X posted even par on day four. It kept him ahead of third-place finisher Byeong Hun An but gave him zero chance of challenging for the title.
Paired with Xander in round four was the King of Quail, Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman had previously won thrice at the North Carolina track, and he was champing at the bit to gain some momentum on the road to Louisville. While Xander scored increasingly worse along the week (64-67-70-71) McIlroy saved his best round for the final round. Thanks to five birdies and two eagles, McIlroy ran away with the event, winning his fourth Wells Fargo by five over Schauffele.
HOLE-OUT EAGLE FOR RORY!!!
He now leads by SIX! pic.twitter.com/UE49lwfwNC
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 12, 2024
PGA Tour @ Myrtle Beach Classic: a little CG won the inaugural week
It always seemed odd that the PGA Tour had zero stops along the Grand Strand each season. This week’s event seemed odd in that the golfers played the same course each day, and there were zero handicaps involved. Most events at Myrtle Beach involve hundreds of amateurs at dozens of courses, with all sorts of handicaps.
The Dunes Club is a Robert Trent Jones Sr. course, down toward Pawley’s Island. It claims what used to be considered an unreachable, par-five hole, the watery 13th. Nothing is unreachable any longer, including a 22-under par total for a six-shot win. Chris Gotterup, a former Rutgers and Oklahoma golfer, played sizzling golf all week and won by a sextet of shots. Gotterup opened with 66, then improved to 64 on Friday. His Saturday 65 sounded a beacon of “come get me,” and his closing 67 ensured that second place was the only thing up for grabs.
Chasing the podium’s second level were a bunch of young Americans. In the end, Alastair Docherty and Davis Thompson reached 16-deep, thanks to rounds of 64 and 68 on Sunday. They held off six golfers at 15-under par. The victory was Gotterup’s first on tour and should be enough to get him a Wikipedia page, among other plaudits.
Leader by SIX!
@ChrisGotterup | @MyrtleBeachC pic.twitter.com/TVdA6ZPYc4— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 12, 2024
PGA Tour Champions @ Regions Traditions: Vindication for Dougie
Doug Barron, if I recall correctly, was suspended by the Powers That Be, way back in 2009, for testosterone. He was naturally low in the hormone, so he took supplements. This did not sit well with certain admins, so he was put on the shelf for 18 months. Not cool.
In 2019, Barron came out on the Tour Champions. He won in August. The next year, despite the craziness of Covid, he won again. Barron hit a dry spell for a few years. He kept his card, but accrued no additional victories. In late April, Barron showed serious signs of life, with a t2 at Mitsubishi. This week in Birmingham, he jumped out to a lead, lost it, then gained it back on Saturday. With major championship glory on the line, Barron brought the train into the station with 68 on Sunday.
Stephen Alker, the man who could not lose just two years ago, gave serious chase with a closing 63. He moved up 11 slots, into solo 2nd on Sunday. He finished two shots back of the champion. Two shots ain’t much. Cough once and you drop a pair. Third place saw a three-way tie, including last year’s winner (Steve Stricker) and runner-up (Ernie Els.) Despite the intimidating presence of the game’s greats, however, Doug Barron had more than enough of everything this week, and he has a third Tour Champions title to show off.
At the @RegionsTrad, all champions receive a green bike.
Doug Barron decided to take a victory lap ? pic.twitter.com/bEzENMjZwv
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) May 13, 2024
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