PGA Tour star reveals what it’s like to play with a red-hot Jon Rahm
By Matt Chivers
Many golf fans can only imagine what it’s like to share the fairways with Masters champion Jon Rahm, but luckily for us, one player has revealed all about teeing it up with the Spaniard
The third round of the Mexico Open was a scene we’ve been treated to on multiple occasions in 2023 – Jon Rahm putting on a masterclass.
The Masters champion made 10 birdies and no bogeys on his way to carding a 61, which was enough to set a new course record at Vidanta Vallarta.
Only Tony Finau is above the Spaniard on the leaderboard heading into the final round. The American is looking for his first win since the Houston Open at the start of the season.
Golf fans have become accustomed to watching Rahm sink birdies and win trophies this year – he has won four times and we still have three major championships to come.
But it wasn’t just the spectators who have been impressed this week, as one player in the field was particularly taken aback by the World No.1.
Michael Kim was paired with Rahm and Taylor Pendrith on Saturday and he tweeted some post-round thoughts on playing with the sport’s most formidable athlete.
“It’s cool to see literally the BEST in the world at his craft with his best stuff,” Kim wrote. “Well worth the price of admission.
“He has zero problems drawing the ball, those in the media (B.C.) that says he can’t or struggles with it are flat out wrong.
“He hits putts exactly how he envisions every time which is actually very hard to do for all 18 holes.
“I was able to keep up with him with my drives much better than I thought.”
Kim is no stranger to the winner’s circle on the PGA Tour. The 29-year-old took the John Deere Classic title in 2018 which remains his sole win on the circuit.
He has made over $4 million in 181 events in his career and he represented America in the Walker Cup in 2013.
But even a player with such an impressive CV can sit back in awe of one of his peers.
Rahm could become the first player since Johnny Miller in 1974 to win five times on the PGA Tour before the first day of May in Mexico.
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Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
