Sleep-deprived and happy, new father Rahm arrives
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Jon R ah mar rived at the Masters on Wednesday, after not sleeping much or touching a club for the past few days.
Suchislife for afirst-time father.
Rahm and his wife, Kelley, welcomed their son — Kepa Cahill Rahm — on Friday, and it’s been a predictable whirlwind ever since for the world’s No. 3 player. Rahm had said he would leave the Masters if that was when the baby decided to arrive.
The baby is healthy. Rahm’s wife is healthy. And now, Rahm is ready to go at Augusta National.
“Coming here later than usual, but I’m here ready to compete,” Rahm said. “I wouldn’t be here otherwise.”
Most players have been at Augusta since Sunday or Monday at the latest. Many have found their way to the course in recent weeks for practice rounds. Rahm hasn’t, but he wondered if being in a different mindset could work to his advantage.
He said he’s never been this happy. That can’t hurt.
Tech talk: Golf’s governing bodies, worried players are hitting the ball farther than ever, are proposing changes to equipment and testing standards. Among those paying close attention is Masters Chairman Fred Ridley, who on Wednesday urged the USGA and R&A to “put forward thoughtful solutions as soon as possible.”
But that doesn’t include Augusta National doing something for the Masters. At least not yet.
“I know there’s been some talk in the past of possibly a Masters golf ball or something like that ,” said Rid ley,a former US GA president .“I would think that would be highly unlikely and would, in my view, be an absolute last resort.”
Honorary starters: The tradition of having honorary starters at the Masters goes back to 1963, when Jock Hutchison and Fred McLeod did the initial honors. It has not been an annual occurrence; the Masters has opened on at least eight occasions since without an honorary starter.
Only nine men have taken those tournament-opening swings.
That list grows to 10 on Thursday.
Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player will be back in their roles, and for the first time, they’ll be joined by Lee Elder — the first Black man to play the Masters, back in 1975.