OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Didn’t take Jon Rahm long to get over his disappointing finish on Monday in the Northern Trust.
It helps to think like a fish.
Three days after the world No. 1 staggered home with two bogeys in his last four holes to squander a 2-shot lead with four to play in the Northern Trust, Rahm showed he’ll be a force to deal with this week in the BMW Championship, the second leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
On the hilly, massive layout at hot and steamy Caves Valley Golf Club, Rahm didn’t make a bogey and shot an 8-under-par 64 on Thursday to grab a share of the lead with Sam Burns. Rahm offered no hints that his setback in the Northern Trust would keep him down this week.
“I must say, for all those ‘Ted Lasso’ fans out there, be a goldfish,” Rahm said, alluding to the wildly popular sitcom. “Basically the happiest animal in the world is a goldfish. You know why? He’s got a 10-second memory.
“I played great golf last week, just a couple bad swings down the stretch, and that’s the most important thing to remember.”
Rahm and Burns don’t have much breathing room as Abraham Ancer shot 66 and a large group of players at 67 included gold medalist Xander Schauffele, world No. 2 Dustin Johnson and Northern Trust winner, Tony Finau.
It should come as no surprise that Rahm rebounded so quickly. Basically, this has been the year of the bounce back for the Spaniard.
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He led by six shots through 54 holes at the Memorial but was forced to withdraw because of a positive COVID-19 test. He won the U.S. Open 15 days later.
Then, after finishing seventh in the Scottish Open and in a tie for third in the British Open, he tested positive again for COVID and was forced to withdraw from the Tokyo Summer Games. He rebounded by finishing third last week and putting himself into contention this week.
Turns out all the time he was forced to take off because of COVID proved beneficial in one area. He’s rested, which will help as players are battling not only the heat but the mountainous terrain.
“Luckily I had a month off, so it helps. Those guys that went to the Olympics and played Memphis and played more events than me may be a little bit more tired, but really that shouldn’t be an excuse in my case,” Rahm said. “Just rest and recovery, knowing what to do properly.
“What I’m doing yesterday and today and tomorrow, and every single day and this afternoon is going to help me be able to stay in good form, so I think that’s the most important key. Eating enough calories and drinking enough, as well.”
For some time now Rahm has been doing most everything on the golf course very well. Despite two battles with COVID, he hasn’t been worse than seventh in his last four starts, and prior to that, he had five top-10s in seven starts. And that doesn’t include what would have been a likely victory in the Memorial.
So, Rahm was asked, how do you practice? Do you try to maintain what is working well or try to look for ways to make things even better?
“Just always trying to get better. That’s all I can say,” he said. “I think the bigger thing has been the putter. I found a putter that really works for me that I’m comfortable with. I would say ball striking is probably not that different before and after Memorial, but my putting stats are guaranteed to be a lot better, and that’s the key difference. When you’re hitting it as good as I have the last few months, giving myself plenty of opportunities, if the putter gets a little hot, you’re going to put some good low scores.”
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