The Masters 2024: Frustrated Jon Rahm stalls moving day as reigning champion left miles behind at Augusta… as Tiger Woods falls back in disastrous third round

On the part of Jon Rahm, a man in need of speed, the only progress to be noted on moving day was that he did not move backwards.

What a special return to Augusta for the former Spanish world number 1, whose title defense continues to be desperately disappointing.

His third-round 72, which kept him at five over par, can be seen through the prism of a tough course that left early starters few scoring opportunities, but there the reasons for attenuation are a little dry. .

He growled, he growled, and he even took to making fun of himself during this loop. All of the latter could be found in generous quantities on the par-five second hole, when, for the first time in three days, he found the fairway from the tee and raised his arms in celebration.

With this week being quite miserable for Rahm, he then drove his second shot into the greenside bunker and continued his par streak on a hole that was the second easiest on the course.

The Spanish former world number 1 shot a 72 in the third round, which kept him five over par for the week.

It’s that kind of trip for the Spaniard. He arrived here with something to prove after his defection to LIV, which naturally also raised the usual questions about whether these resort courses are sufficient preparation for Augusta.

Bryson DeChambeau’s form so far could cut short that debate, and yet Rahm is a different type of beast.

It seemed for a long time that this fiery character thrived on intensity. That he needs it. Week to week, he doesn’t get as much heat on LIV, so you could reasonably wonder if he came into the Masters a little undercooked, but you also have to wonder if he’s sensitive to changes in perceptions of him .

Playing a few holes near him on Saturday, there was no overtly negative reaction from the galleries toward Rahm, because this country club is not that kind of place. But as a proud defender of tradition for so long, only to cash in on a £400 million offer to join a start-up, there was speculation within the game that he was the type to fear being perceived like a sellout. .

Rahm’s quality is such that you think he will adapt and return to his best in the majors before long, but it won’t be this one. Indeed, that was demonstrated here, when he had no time to waste in resetting his chances.

Rahm arrived at Augusta National with something to prove after his defection to LIV Golf

On one hand, the weather helped — it was much milder than the 40 mph gusts we saw Friday, when Rahm wondered if maybe play should have been suspended, especially with the sand flying bunkers and covering the putting surfaces. But while the skies were calmer, the greens had been dried out by those winds and then baked by the sun on a much warmer Saturday.

The score was therefore limited, but it is equally true that Rahm did not take his chances, including misses from six feet on the fourth and 13th greens. His driving was pretty precise, his approaches were a little loose, and as such he faced a considerable number of opportunities in that 15-foot range. The only one that went underground came on the 17th, his only birdie of the day, which offset his blip at seven, when he sent his second into the trap.

I repeat, Rahm will be back. It’s too good to stay put for long and it can be noted that many of those who moved on to LIV felt a little self-conscious upon their first return to the major stage. But when a player of this caliber turns over cards 73-76-72, you have to raise an eyebrow.

He was far from satisfied. “Friday was terrible but today I gave myself a lot of chances,” he said. “I just didn’t make them. Fortunately I made the one on 17 to have the only birdie of the day. I think if you went out today and somehow shot 67 or lower, you might give yourself a little hope. But it’s a tough ride out there. Anything below par is a good round. Everything that happens in the 60s is fantastic.

Tiger Woods finished 10 over par for his round and now sits at 11 over par for the tournament.

Woods made back-to-back double bogeys on seven and eight as he struggled on Saturday

Elsewhere, Rory McIlroy’s miserable Friday was slightly corrected in his third round, with the four-time major winner shooting a 71. He will begin his final round on a par three, which is heaven and earth away from where he wanted be. this annual review of his career credentials.

Earlier in the week his wedges were problematic, but on Saturday the putter seemed a little cold. However, he stemmed some of the bleeding with a 36 on the front nine.

“I felt better today,” he said. “It was nice to make a few birdies. A few years ago I went out (Sunday) and shot a good score and if the conditions stay the same and you hit four, five or six shots you will move up in the rankings. It’s still pretty hard out there. So I’m going to try to do the same thing again, make a few putts and see if I can finish on a positive note.

This week just hasn’t been his story. On Friday, it belonged to Tiger Woods, who broke a record by qualifying for the 24th consecutive time in horrendous weather conditions. His show of will was extraordinary to reach the weekend.

That said, Saturday became something more unforgettable: he topped 10 for his round and now sits at 11 for the tournament. That trip around Augusta included back-to-back double bogeys on seven and eight, then four straight dropped shots down the stretch.