Sometimes there are miracles in sport. And Jon Rahm used that term to define his victory on Sunday in Maui at The Sentry Tournament of Champions, the tournament that opened the year on the PGA Tour. And he mentioned a wardrobe change that turned out to be a talisman for the outcome, the black pants, an almost thaumaturgical garment and with a symbolism associated with the greatest of all: Tiger Woods.
Jon Rahm, statements
“Even though we were far away, I wanted to wear the red Sunday polo shirt. I didn’t want to wear navy pants every day, so I opted for black. I didn’t have much hope, because I needed a little miracle…”
, he said sitting on the couch after the victory ceremony, marking another grimace on the PGA Tour for the seventh consecutive year, a considerable run, only to reveal the truth. “Actually, I hadn’t brought enough belts.
I only had one blue and one black. And since it was really hot, I told Kelley I wasn’t going to be roasting all week wearing black, so I went with blue. But Sunday came and I was already tired of it. I know it’s a stupid answer, but it’s the truth.
I never want to mix red with black because that’s Tiger’s combo, that’s why I wear gray or navy.” Jon had imitated Gary Player, who in 1978 counteracted another seven shots to win the tournament that always opens the year in the suggestive Hawaii.
He had caused an earthquake applauded by Jay Monahan, the circuit commissioner, in the first place. After the LIV split, the PGA Tour needs big things from its big names. And that feat sealed with a 63 was. I feel that in this last part of the season I have been the best player in the world “After I bogeyed the first hole, victory never crossed my mind,” revealed Jon.
“But I wanted to be as close to 30 under par as possible (he finished with 27) and see what would happen. I birdied and when I was at the tee on the 17th hole, I saw that he was even with Morikawa and that he needed birdies, but walking that hole , suddenly I saw that we were leading by one and then I said to my caddy: now we don’t have to be unnecessarily aggressive here.
The golf gods were on my side this time.” The victory was his third in the last four months, and his third in the last five tournaments, which also saw him move up the world rankings past Patrick Cantlay for fourth.
“If they hadn’t changed the ranking system (it gives much more weight to the PGA Tour than the DP World Tour) I would now be very close to number 1,” he intoned. “I feel like since August I’ve been the best player in the world.
In early 2022 clearly Scottie (Scheffler) was that player, then Rory (McIlroy) was that player, and I feel like right now it’s been me.” Happy in Maui, from where he has been since December 27 to acclimatize to the time change, in the tournament where he escapes only with Kelley, his wife, and their two children, without the presence of any other family member, Jon returned to be Rhambo.
