Well-schooled Rahm in mix at Colonial
FORT WORTH, Texas — Jon Rahm was at Colonial during tournament week each of the past two years to accept the Ben Hogan Award that goes to the top college golfer in the U.S. This time, he’s playing in the PGA Tour event at Hogan’s Alley and among the leaders.
With his 4-under 66 on Thursday, Rahm was a stroke behind first-round leaders Kelly Kraft, Derek Fathauer and PGA Tour rookie J.T. Poston.
That also put Rahm ahead of two-time Colonial champs Phil Mickelson and Zach Johnson after both birdied their last three holes for 67s. He also led 2016 winner Jordan Spieth, whose even-par round included six birdies.
“The last two times I was here, all I recorded was super happy and positive memories,” Rahm said. “It’s just the vibe that I have around this place is so positive, especially with Sergio [Garcia] winning and with the Ben Hogan history that I’m related to now.”
The 22-year-old Rahm, the winner at Torrey Pines in January, had only one bogey while playing with Masters champion Garcia, the fellow Spaniard who won in his first Colonial appearance in 2001.
Kraft and Graeme McDowell, tied with Rahm for fourth, had the only bogey-free rounds. Only 33 of the 121 players finished the first round under par.
Scott Brown had the other 66, and had the outright lead at 6 under before a double bogey at No. 18.
Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., was the low Canadian, firing a 69 to finish the round tied for 24th at 1-under par. Nick Taylor (70) of Abbotsford was tied for 34th at even par, Adam Hadwin (71) of Abbotsford was one over grouped at 47th, David Hearn (72) of Brantford, Ont., was 2 over to tie at 62nd, Jamie Sadlowski (73) of St. Paul, Alta., was in a tie for 75th at 3 over and Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., was 5-over 75 to tie for 97th.