Jon Rahm, a pre-tournament favorite at the 2026 Masters, finished with questions about his form after a disappointing week at Augusta National. Despite a strong Sunday round, early miscues left him far from contention. Rahm acknowledged the need for adjustments ahead of the PGA Championship.
Jon Rahm arrived at Augusta National as one of the favorites, backed by strong LIV Golf results this year: finishes of 2-2-1-5-2 in five starts. His major record since joining LIV had been mixed, with three top-10s in seven starts, including a contention at the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. After fixing a swing issue during a late-2025 break, data suggested he was peaking for the Masters. But Thursday's first round dashed those hopes with a six-over 78, featuring zero birdies and no swing feel. “It’s a hard golf course,” Rahm said afterward. “When you have no feel with the swing whatsoever, it’s just not an easy one.” He rebounded Friday with a two-under 70 to make the cut but trailed leader Rory McIlroy by 16 shots entering the weekend. Saturday brought a one-over score, prompting Rahm to call the poor start a swing anomaly. “Golf is golf,” he said, brushing off concerns. Paired with Sergio Garcia on Sunday, Rahm posted a solid even-par round, going out in 32 with five birdies and two bogeys. He birdied holes 12 and 15 to reach even par with three holes left, saved par on 17 after a poor approach rolled off the green—“What the hell?” he muttered—and bogeyed 18 after a bunker tee shot. “Today was much better,” Rahm said. “Crazy, same person, right?” Still, he admitted deeper issues. “Played really bad the two days... Definitely some things I’m going change going forward. Preparation-wise and what to do,” Rahm said, eyeing next month's PGA Championship.
