Jon Rahm, the golf prodigy known for his dominance on the green, has recently acknowledged a slump in his game. This acknowledgment comes in the wake of a performance that Rahm himself categorizes as subpar. Despite his commendable 12.5 under par at the Hong Kong event, Rahm’s T6 finish is considered substandard, given his usual prowess on the links. These events have led to the golfer openly discussing the challenges currently plaguing his game.
During the LIV Golf Singapore press conference, Rahm candidly admitted that his wedge play, an area where he’s traditionally been a powerhouse, has been faltering. This year has seen him concede shots to the field from 150 yards in, a trend that casts a grim shadow with the Masters looming on the horizon. “My performance hasn’t lived up to my expectations,” confessed Rahm. “My comfort levels have been off, and this has been particularly evident in my wedge play.”
Rahm’s awareness of his faltering short game is a stark departure from his typical supremacy in this area. This dip is particularly concerning as he acknowledges the significance of a solid short game in contending at majors, especially at Augusta. According to Rahm, a strong short game is a non-negotiable requirement for those aspiring to win majors.
While Rahm’s ability to self-assess and address his shortcomings is commendable, the timing of his slump is inopportune with the Masters just weeks away. Rahm needs to quickly regain his stride, particularly in his wedge play, if he is to vie for the title. To put things into perspective, Scottie Scheffler, the reigning Masters champion, demonstrated exemplary performance in this aspect with an SG: ARG mark of +1.97. If Rahm is to contend seriously at the Masters, a similar performance is a necessity.
However, Rahm’s challenges do not end with his own game. This year’s Masters competition is shaping up to be more cutthroat than ever. In addition to the top-ranking golfers, LIV Golf’s heavyweights are also joining the fray.
The 2025 Masters will see the world’s best golfers descending upon the iconic Augusta course, each fighting for the illustrious Green Jacket. The list includes notable names from LIV Golf, such as Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Sergio Garcia, who are expected to make their mark at this season’s first major.
These names are not the only contenders; other LIV Golf luminaries, such as Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, and Charl Schwartzel, are also set to compete. Reed, the 2018 Masters champion, has had three other top 10 finishes since his win. Watson, a two-time Masters champion, is looking to bounce back after a lackluster LIV Golf season. Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters champion, aims to build on his top-10 finish in 2022.
With such a high caliber of competitors, the 2025 Masters is shaping up to be a thrilling and unpredictable tournament. As the clock ticks down to the prestigious event, all eyes will be on Jon Rahm, watching to see if he can overcome his current challenges and reclaim his position at the top of the golfing world.
