Jon Rahm and David Puig, separated by almost an hour due to the conclusion of their respective rounds, could not suppress their satisfaction with their respective Olympic debuts. Even knowing, due to the usual ambition that characterises them, that the result could have been better, especially David Puig, weighed down by a discreet finish that partially curtailed many previous positive actions.
“In the end, finishing under par is a positive result but a bit disappointed with the finish I’ve had. I take the good, I’ve hit the ball well and I’ve made good birdies that always give confidence,” acknowledged the Barcelona golfer after his first 18 holes today, who assures that he believes he is improving and growing little by little as a player on a day “that I consider positive”.
Almost an hour later, storm in between, it was Jon Rahm who echoed those words. “Uff, how that sounds like an Olympic debut… Well, I’m satisfied, very satisfied, it’s been a good day, a good result. I haven’t been as comfortable as I would have liked, but I’ve saved very complicated situations through very good shots and a pity the shot into the water on the 16th, my fault,” summarised the Spanish golfer with satisfaction.
“One of the things that surprised me the most is the support from the public, on hole 1 and all over the course. I thought that the presence of Xander Schauffele, the reigning champion, was going to overshadow everything, but I greatly appreciated the affection they have shown me at all times,” highlighted Jon Rahm.
As for the playing conditions, Jon is clear that if they remain the same, with receptive greens and no wind, to win the gold you will have to reach a score of -20. “If it doesn’t rain more, the course hardens and the wind picks up, it will be another thing, but if it’s this soft you have to make few. In these conditions -15, -20, but it can change quite a bit if it gets hard. Many of us would like to see the course more difficult,” he stated.
Rahm admits that there is some fatigue from being the fourth consecutive week competing, but at the same time explains that motivation cures everything, as well as good play. “Maybe I’m at the best moment of the year. I feel very similar to June, when I got the foot injury. I’m happy because I’ve saved some good ones, like on the 3rd or on the 12th, where I could have dropped two or three more strokes and I’m annoyed at the bad swing I made on the 16th. I took enough club and still went into the water. A bad shot”.
