G-Mac expects ‘irritated’ Rahm to turn it around

A BRACE of successive sixes midway through his round sent a wrecking ball through Jon Rahm’s ambition to become the first back-to-back winner of the Irish Open since Colin Montgomerie in 1997. The volcanic Spaniard was angry with himself as he frittered away four shots to par at the 18th and first — twice visiting bunkers — in a low-key 74. Playing partner Graeme McDowell had a close-up view of the simmering Spaniard. ‘Jon’s a very talented player,’ he said. ‘He seemed really irritated with himself this morning, not really sure why. ‘He’s one of those guys who just gets irritated with himself and isn’t destructive for anyone else. He’s such a talented player and I’d expect him to be back firing on all cylinders tomorrow. ‘Maybe as defending champion you just put that extra pressure on yourself,’ said McDowell, who revealed that Rahm was milking him for information about the Ryder Cup. ‘He was asking me what a vice-captain did, and I said, “I’m not really sure”.’ Rafa Cabrera Bello, the third member of the three-ball, was two under early on but fell away badly to a 76.