An exhausted, jubilant Jon Rahm puzzled if he’d earned a break.
The Masters’ champion, worn out from his four-shot victory final week, thought arduous about passing up the RBC Heritage and taking some well-deserved relaxation.
In the top, Rahm honored his dedication — and can attempt to change into simply the second participant ever to observe a win at Augusta National with one at Harbour Town Golf Links.
“It did cross my mind, and obviously I think it would have crossed anybody’s because I was so tired,” he stated Wednesday. “But that’s why I decided to come in yesterday afternoon and take it easier and just give my body a rest before I got into competition mode.”
And Rahm, No. 1 on the earth and a four-time tour winner this season, assured everybody he was in it to win it, identical to at all times.
“I still intend to hopefully do the jacket double and taking this one home,” Rahm stated with a smile.
Only Bernhard Langer in 1985 has been in a position to win the Masters’ inexperienced jacket and RBC Heritage’s tartan jacket in back-to-back weeks.
Usually, lots of the recreation’s finest take the week off to refresh and calm down earlier than the PGA Championship subsequent month, the U.S. Open in June and the British Open in July.
Those who play discuss concerning the seaside course’s relaxed environment after the strain cooker of Augusta.
A reigning Masters’ champion hasn’t performed at Harbour Town since Jordan Spieth in 2015. A drained Spieth, who received this occasion for the primary time final April, opened with a 74 eight years in the past, shot 62 the following day to make the minimize and completed tied for eleventh.
Rahm’s prepared to dam out the cheers and accolades — the Spaniard bought a congratulatory voice mail from Spain’s tennis nice, Rafael Nadal — to focus on the difficult, tight format.
He performed right here as soon as in June 2020 when Harbour Town was the PGA Tour’s second occasion again after the COVID-19 stoppage.
It was hotter and fewer windy then, Rahm recalled, than what he’ll see this week. He’s assured his recreation will emerge as his routine kicks in. “If I can get through the first two days, I think on the weekend, I’ll feel back to normal,” he stated.
SCHEFFLER DEFENSE
Scottie Scheffler acknowledged he “just didn’t have it” at Augusta National in protection of his 2022 Master’s title. Still, Scheffler resulted in a tie for tenth, eight strokes behind Rahm.
“I definitely imagined myself putting on the (green) jacket at the end of the week, but Jon is a very deserving champion,” Scheffler stated. “For me, it was a good memory for the both of us. That was obviously a very special moment in his life, so I was glad I was able to share it with him.”
Scheffler will tee it up at Harbour Town for the primary time in his profession. It is his one hundredth begin in 4 PGA Tour seasons.
Scheffler stated it’s a simple format he ought to be capable to navigate. “When you stand on each tee box, it pretty much tells you what you need to do,” he stated.
SPIETH’S VIEW
Jordan Spieth is bringing a powerful displaying from the Masters into protection of his RBC Heritage title.
Spieth defeated Cantlay in a playoff for the title at Harbour Town final 12 months. Spieth feels as dialed-in as ever after a stellar stretch that included a tie for fourth at Augusta National final week.
“I’ve been playing really nice golf over the last six, eight weeks and then resting,” Spieth stated. “So finding the balance to be prepared to peak as best I can as the tournament goes on.”
ELEVATED FIELD
The RBC Heritage is the sixth of seven designated PGA Tour occasions that function elevated purses ($20 million this 12 months, up from $8 million a 12 months in the past) and a best-in-the-game discipline. The winner receives $3.6 million, greater than twice the $1.44 million Spieth earned in 2022.
There are seven of the highest 10 gamers within the World Golf rankings, 28 of the highest 30 in FedEx Cup factors and all however one of many 20 gamers who’ve received on the PGA Tour this season. Only Rory McIlroy, who received the CJ Cup at Congaree (about 30 miles from Harbour Town) received’t participate this week after withdrawing Monday.
ODDS AND ENDS
No shock that Rahm and Scheffler are co-favorites this week at 8.5-to-1 to take the title at Harbour Town, in line with Fanduel Sportsbook.
Patrick Cantlay is subsequent at 11-to-1 adopted by defending champion Jordan Spieth and Collin Morikawa at 18-to-1. Cam Young, who tied for seventh on the 12 months’s first main final week, was at 20-to-1.