Jon Rahm isn’t afraid of big bets. It is a lesson that all rivals and admirers of the Spanish golfer should learn. On the first day of The American Express demonstrated how its pulse does not tremble to look for great cards, both to dream of a new crown and to remain number 1 on the charts for another week.
Although the sport often brings unexpected resolutions, the tournament The American Express en La Quinta (California) of PGA Tour It started under a script expected in the previous ones. Jon Rahm and Patrick Cantlay asserted their favoritism in all the bets marking a promising first day. The American scaring, because his first holes were to mark a record for history.
It was a predictable situation for several reasons. On the one hand, both Rahm like Cantlay work very well at the tournament. ‘El Len de Barrika‘ took it in 2018, while the American was second in 2021. On the other hand, they opened the tournament on the easiest course of the three that make up the tournament in the Californian complex. The Nicklaus y el Stadium Course they will be more complicated, especially the second one that will decide the battle.
Rahm, who was one of the earliest risers because he was playing the second game -in which he was also Tony Finau going from plus to minus-, did not start overwhelming. In the first nine holes only two birdies ‘back-to-back‘ on the 5 and 6, but with several pair 3s and 4s that he could have taken advantage of. The short distance as the main differentiating factor.
It was in the second part that I grew up. Again, without conceding, but managing to improve when converting birdies. Four in nine holes, with spectacular shots like the 16 from 16 feet away. The perfect proof of the fitness of the Barrika golfer, whose level at the beginning of 2022 is, directly, the best player on the planet. And he leaves a card that shows that he is not afraid of the bets of his rivals.
Cantlay, ‘on fire’
The strategy of Rahm it was not imitated by its main rival. Quite the contrary, then Cantlay from hole 1 he took blows off the card. In seven holes -7 as a business card in The fifth. That yes, from the eighth I regained a worldly status. He lowered the number of birdies, although he did not release the impressive figures.
The four in the world continued at an immense level in the last part of the circuit. Closing with a -10 and 62 shots. First classified -tied with the revelation Hodges (he is not among the 300 best in the world)- and message to the staff. He is good at the field, he is fine and scared. Because he knows how to fight, against himself and against others. Cantlay’s fire is very much alive and wants the crown on ‘TheAmex‘. He endorses four blows to Rahm, who although he is not second if it should be his main concern. And even if the television broadcast ‘went’ from Cantlay… Sign a spectacular day and is the clear candidate.
He did not reach 59 magic, by very little. On the 16th he had to putt from far away, and on both the 17th and 18th he put the ball near the flag. Be that as it may, spectacular presentation in society. And co-leadership, which when the route is changed can become a solitary mandate.
In key number 1
El debut de Jon Rahm en The American Express It’s also good news in the world’s number 1 key. Because he played with the pressure of knowing the result of his great rival, Collin Morikawa, en Abu Dhabi, and in a field in which everyone knew that the Basque had to make the difference. Said and done, well the Rahm’s -6 and his position to fight for the crown It far improves the result of the number 2 in the world.
Morikawa was ten shots off the lead in the Emirate and although everyone knows his ability to come from behind (as an example in Hawaii) seems complicated that he can dream of winning and being number 1 in the world at the end of the tournaments. So, Rahm He has sent several messages: that of being there and that of perseverance to be the best in the world day after day.
