Rahm stays cool as the heat rises
JON RAHM kept his cool in the USPGA heat as his fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia was left sweating on a Ryder Cup place.
The fiery Rahm was given a one-shot penalty for accidentally stepping on his ball in the rough on his penultimate hole.
But instead of losing his volcanic temper on another scorching day here in St Louis, the world No 7 got up and down to save his par in a bogey-free 67 to stay in contention for his first Major title.
And Rahm, who will make his Ryder Cup debut for Europe at Le Golf National next month, said the work he had done this week to stop his “childish” behaviour had already paid off.
“There were no marshals in sight and the rough was so deep that you couldn’t see the ball until you were right on it,” he said. “At end of day you should not be looking for your ball. But I saved par and I don’t think I would have even five days ago let alone two years ago.
“Five days ago before I did a lot of mental work to change part of my behaviour, on Tuesday and Wednesday, I would have reacted differently.
“Most likely it would have been a lot harder to save that par. I won’t disclose what I do with my mental coach but let’s just say I didn’t like the fact I complain as much as I did.
“Playing the way I did is not really acceptable, it seemed a little childish to me and I need to grow up – I’m still 23 years old. Yesterday and today I have missed plenty of shots and been able to recover. I felt more balanced out there today.”
Playing partner Justin Rose, who shot a stopstart 69, praised the temperament of his future Ryder Cup teammate. “I was impressed with Jon,” said the world No3. “He had plenty of opportunities to get frustrated but he was very patient.”
Garcia shot a oneover-par 71 to be in danger of missing the cut in his fifth consecutive Major. Last year’s Masters champion is relying on a wild card to play in Paris – and he has now added the Wyndham Championships in his schedule to qualify for the FedEx play-offs.
Paul Casey, who is currently in the eighth and last qualifying place, will miss the weekend after his 73 saw him finish on eight-over par. Thomas Pieters, who had a stunning Ryder Cup debut in Hazeltine, made a case for a late wild card with a 66. Matt Wallace ended a
SPORT IN BRIEF
run of four consecutive cuts with his 66 – crediting his improvement to working with pyschologist Lee Crombleholme.
“I’m working really hard on that and it seems to be working out really nicely,” he said.
American Gary Woodland has hired Francesco Molinari’s English putting coach in a bid to win his first Major.
Southport-based Phil Kenyon is part of the team which helped the Italian triumph at the Open last month. Kenyon started working with Woodland at Carnoustie – and yesterday he shot a 66 to set a new 36-hole scoring record at the USPGA on 10 under par.
“For me, the putting was just the last piece of the puzzle,” he said. “When I see putts go in, I’m a completely different player.”
By the time Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods teed off among the afternoon starters, they were already 10 shots off the pace of a USA-dominated leaderboard.
Kevin Kisner went out in 29 on his way to his 64 while US Open champion Brooks Koepka shot a 63. And world No1 Dustin Johnson climbed into contention with a 66.