HAVING A BALL
World Series pitch tops Rahm's fave green jacket memories
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Jon Rahm has a lot of beautiful memories about having the green jacket out of the Augusta National property for the past year as the 2023 Masters champion.
“Best memories?’’ Rahm said Tuesday. “The most memorable one for me has to be the first pitch. Just doing the first pitch in the World Series is quite unique. Sort of having to compete for the jacket is about as nervous as I’ve ever been related to that jacket, having to be in front of all those people trying to not make a fool of myself.’’
Rahm, too, has a regret about the jacket.
“I think if I were not to win this year, I’m probably not going to regret not wearing it more often and just taking it everywhere for just because you have it,’’ he said.
The Masters winner is allowed to wear the jacket for the year after he’s won it, but all other times the jacket is to remain on Augusta National property.
“Essentially, it’s the only trophy you can’t really keep at home,’’ Rahm said. “You do get a trophy, but the one that we all care about is the jacket. I think it’s something really special to know, when you win, that the only jacket that ever leaves Augusta National is that one. I think that’s the most special part of all.’’
➤ It’s possible that Scottie Scheffler, the No. 1-ranked player in the world, 2022 Masters winner and odds-on favorite to win this week, might have to withdraw from the tournament.
If his wife, Meredith, who’s pregnant and due with the couple’s first child by the end of the month, goes into labor, Scheffler said he’d withdraw from the Masters immediately to be with her for the birth.
Also expecting are Sam and Caroline Burns, with their due date in just over a week. Burns and Scheffler, as well as their wives, are all best friends. Burns, too, said he’d withdraw should his wife go into labor during the tournament.
Neither of the players’ wives are at Augusta this week.
Burns lives in Choudrant, La., and Scheffler in Dallas.
“It’s going to be pretty wild,’’ Scheffler said earlier this season. “I don’t think it’s hit either of us quite yet but it’s an exciting time for us as a family.’’
Phil Mickelson famously carried a beeper around Pinehurst during the final round of the 1999 U.S. Open should his wife have entered labor. Mickelson ultimately came in second to Payne Stewart, and Amy Mickelson gave birth the next day to their first child, Amanda.
The Masters has had 11 different champions in the past 11 years, dating back to Adam Scott’s win in 2013 to Rahm’s win last year. It’s the longest streak in tournament history without a repeat champion.
Why?
“One word: Tiger. And before that you had Jack,” Shane Lowery said of Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. Those guys won 11 times. There wasn’t much room for anybody else.’’
Nicklaus won six green jackets and Wood has won five. Lowery, the 2019 British Open champion, is competing in his ninth Masters this week.