There will be no Spanish Green Jacket in 2025. We can already say that. It hasn’t been the year for Spanish golf. And that’s saying a lot in a setting that has given so much glory to our country. Sergio García (+4) missed the cut and Jon Rahm (+2) just made it on the number, and only something unprecedented could give him a chance on Sunday.
Rahm spent five hours walking a tightrope. He made 17 pars and just one birdie for a 71. And the birdie came from holing out from the bunker on the 7th. It’s true that he left some birdie chances out there that he usually doesn’t miss, but his golf didn’t deserve much more. It’s curious, he arrived at the Masters with an outstanding putting level, but the Augusta greens are not being kind to him. We’ll see if the trend changes over the next two days.
Jon made the cut… just. He’s not in form. Quite the opposite. He’s struggling with his swing. He’s lost that consistency from the past. There are flashes, but also many shadows. Yes, of course, he still hits some great shots, but every now and then a strange one slips through that throws him off. He’s lacking confidence, and it shows even in his expression. He doesn’t have that sharp look, nor does he convey that fierceness of old. He seems more resigned to his fate, as if he’s convinced that with his current game, even he can’t compete to win a Major.
That doesn’t mean he won’t give it his all. We’re talking about his grit, pride, and dignity. He hasn’t lost the DNA of trying to finish a tournament as best as possible, wherever it is and however he is. That’s why he made the cut and didn’t give up. His golf today isn’t enough to win at Augusta, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to bow out. He’ll keep fighting, looking for what’s missing, that penultimate adjustment to finally rid his mind of those damned compensations. He’ll continue, ultimately, pursuing the best possible result with the tools he has at any given moment. The fight is non-negotiable. He still holed a very delicate two-metre putt on the 18th to be there for the weekend.
Those who won’t be there are Sergio García (+4) and Josele Ballester (+10). It wasn’t meant to be. The man from Borriol had a disastrous round. 76 strokes. Nothing like yesterday. He played worse today, his swing wasn’t as smooth, and he struggled to hit good shots. Some came, of course, but without continuity. Too much inconsistency. Something not seen in months. Different things happen to Sergio at Augusta. It always pushes him to the limit. It’s the ultimate glory and also the most extreme frustration. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He couldn’t celebrate his 100th Major as he wanted, but there’s no choice but to turn the page and focus on what’s next, on continuing to do things well and preparing for the PGA Championship.
Josele Ballester, on the other hand, had a tough day at the office. Beyond missing the cut and shooting 78, which could even be considered logical, the worst part is that he couldn’t even enjoy making a single birdie today. It was a very bad week on the greens, and that prevented him from generating enough momentum to truly believe it was possible to play all four days.
