The whole golf world is speaking concerning the unbelievable state of Jon Rahm’s recreation proper now, together with Justin Thomas.
Thomas, who met with the media Tuesday earlier than the Farmers Insurance coverage Open, did not hesitate to deliver up Rahm’s unbelievable play when requested about browsing on the occasion’s host web site, Torrey Pines.
In his final six world begins, Rahm has received 4 instances, together with back-to-back victories in his final two occasions, the Sentry Match of Champions and the American Categorical. The world No. three is a complete of 54 underneath par in his final eight aggressive rounds.
Given his latest dominance, Rahm can be the favourite at any venue on the PGA Tour, however at Torrey Pines, the Spaniard has a ridiculously good likelihood of a 3rd straight victory (+400 SI Sportsbook).
When requested what sort of golfer fits Torrey Pines’ north and south programs (gamers will compete on each programs), Thomas’ reply summed up what everybody was already pondering.
“I might undoubtedly say no matter Jon Rahm’s recreation is fairly good for Torrey Pines,” Thomas mentioned. “It appears to be like like that is… not that his recreation is dangerous for any course, however he appears to be doing nicely on this place.”
Rahm has received twice on the well-known San Diego course. On the 2017 Farmers Insurance coverage Open, a 22-year-old Rahm drained a 60-foot eagle putt to safe his first PGA Tour victory. On the 2021 US Open, Rahm noticed his first main championship win on the identical venue.
It will get scarier: In his final 4 begins on the Farmers, Rahm’s report is T5-2-T7-T3. Two of these completions had been the results of Rahm lacking a playoff by one shot.
In line with Thomas, Rahm’s success at Torrey could have lots to do along with his signature shot. The 2022 PGA Champion famous that working the ball from left to proper seems to be advantageous among the many slender fairways of the coastal course, and is a characteristic of the course that additionally occurs to learn Thomas himself.
“That was one thing visually for me, after I performed the South Course, I did not keep in mind how a lot it favors left-right ball flight, particularly off the tees,” Thomas mentioned. “When the greens get agency, a left-right ball flight will maintain them just a little higher. … It is one thing he does, clearly, however one thing that after I’m enjoying nicely and I really feel like I am getting right into a rhythm, it is just like the ball is working left-right.
“It is a actually good quantity of pitch [the fairways]and locations nice significance on management.”
Torrey Pines could also be dangerously well-suited to Rahm’s recreation, but it surely’s his personal ball-striking that may assist him maintain his personal in opposition to any prime courtroom. The Spaniard is ranked first in strokes gained off the tee, second in strokes gained off the tee and third in complete strokes gained up to now this PGA Tour season.
“Once you begin driving like he does, hitting his irons like he does, and also you’re simply having an honest week, yeah, it should be robust to beat,” Thomas mentioned. “I believe even when some individuals, and I am certain that features himself, would say he was in a hunch or no matter earlier than that, he was nonetheless in highschool and had an opportunity to win quite a lot of tournaments .”
Thomas defined it completely: Rahm does not even want a sizzling putter to win tournaments proper now. He hits the ball so nicely.
At this 12 months’s Farmers, which begins Wednesday, Rahm will attempt to turn out to be the primary participant since Dustin Johnson in 2017 to win three consecutive begins.