The Masters Tournament seeps into every corner with just eight days to go before it begins. It hardly matters that there’s another tournament this week. The discipline of shot by shot and staying focused on the present becomes more challenging than ever. Jon Rahm and Sergio García are competing in the LIV Golf Miami this week, but their eyes keep drifting towards Augusta. The man from Barrika admits he hasn’t felt completely comfortable with his game in 2025 and hopes to see improvements in Doral, while Sergio admits his approach to the Majors changed after the second round of last year’s Masters. Two significant confessions just over a week before the start of the first Major.
Rahm acknowledges that his results this year have been somewhat better than his feelings. “One way or another, I’ve managed to score well, but I haven’t been able to bring out my best golf. I’ve felt some discomfort on the course and need to overcome it to be ready for the Majors.” In this regard, the Basque golfer assures that he has been working in this direction recently and hopes to see some progress this week in Miami. “I think I’m very close, if I haven’t already reached the point I want, but I’d like to see it reflected on the course this week,” he stated during his media session in Doral.
That said, no matter how bad the feelings are, which aren’t that bad, don’t think there’s any chance of seeing Jon downcast or doubtful next week. “I always have blind faith in my abilities before starting a tournament, no matter the state of my game. I’m eager to see those changes I’ve been talking about that have been there for most of a year and a half, but I haven’t quite overcome yet,” he says. As you can see, Jon’s confession is technical. He’s not entirely comfortable, but there’s no alarm. He feels he’s very close.
Sergio’s confession is much more related to the psychology of the game and how the second round of last year’s Masters caused a small click in his head. “We’re competitors, we want to go out there and do really well, but sometimes it’s better not to get too much into your head. Obviously, I had my issues with Augusta in that sense. I was frustrated and maybe felt I wasn’t getting what I deserved or something like that. Now, what’s important for me is to go out and enjoy the week no matter what and just do it because it’s worth it, because it’s an incredible week, not just for you but for your family. Many incredible memories are created. It doesn’t have to be just about playing well. It’s something I discovered last year. On Friday, I lost my head a bit, and that’s why I didn’t make the cut. I’m happy to say it: it was all my fault. We’ll see what happens next week. I just want to go there and really enjoy it because that’s how it should be,” he concludes.
On the other hand, both Sergio and Jon have admitted they won’t be making many changes to their bags with Augusta in mind. García has said that the only thing he’s going to renew are the wedges, as he understands it’s a good week to have them fresh on a course that demands such good short game, while Jon has gone even further. “Every week my bag is the same. The only thing that changes is that I put in a 2-iron or a 5-wood, but usually it’s the 5-wood. The 2-iron only comes in at the Open and some other tournament in Europe that suits me well from the tee.”
Both have also highlighted that the champions’ dinner is one of the most special moments of the week. Rahm especially recalled last year’s, his first and only so far, with José María Olazábal and an emotional Bernhard Langer sharing stories about Seve Ballesteros.
