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Former Masters champion Jon Rahm has addressed criticism suggesting that his poor begin at Augusta National was a results of his preparation on LIV Golf.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ coverage final night time, analyst Brandel Chamblee stated he was amazed by Rahm’s opening 78, insisting gamers from the breakaway league aren’t being correctly examined.
“You’re talking, though, about a guy who hit 82% greens-in-regulation on LIV,” Chamblee said. “They’re not being challenged, they’re not being examined, and they also’re not prepared.
“They’re enjoying golf programs that aren’t notably exhausting, they’re not arrange very exhausting, they usually solely should beat 5 – 6 guys.
“If every single week you go out and you’re not challenged – when I look at the statistics, it’d be like if Steph Curry was shooting free-throws with a hula-hoop-sized rim and thinking he’s 100%. That’s the false arrogance they would have coming in here.”
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But after a second-round 70, which noticed Rahm (at the time of writing) climb contained in the projected minimize line, the Spaniard bit back.
When requested what changes he has to make forward of The Masters, he stated: “None. Golf is golf.”
Rahm, 31, was then pressed to clarify how LIV occasions put together him for this week’s event, to which he replied: “Same as any other golf tournament in the world.”
Ex-European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley agreed with Chamblee in final night time’s debate. The Irishman stated there’s undoubtedly a distinction within the depth between PGA Tour and LIV occasions.
“It’s a different dynamic, it’s a different business model and it’s a different environment for you to play golf in,” he claimed. “You’ve acquired music, you’ve acquired golf programs which are arrange for low scoring.
“It’s gung-ho golf, and then when you come here, you’re not mentally prepared for being knocked back.”
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Meanwhile, Rahm argued that, regardless of a greater exhibiting on Friday, he would possibly nonetheless have left an excessive amount of work to get back in rivalry.
“I felt really good all year besides yesterday,” he stated. “Actually felt fairly good right this moment as nicely. Yesterday was simply an anomaly the place every thing that might go incorrect went incorrect.
“Not that I shot myself out of the event however I’m going to want an absolute miracle beginning right this moment and didn’t fairly do sufficient.
“I’m going to need a heck of a round tomorrow to give myself a chance and even then, might be a little too far away.”
