Jon Rahm Embraces Change Ahead of Masters Tournament

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Jon Rahm brought humor and confidence to his pre-Masters press conference on Tuesday, a shift from last year’s tense atmosphere as he faced scrutiny for his move to LIV Golf. With the tournament starting this week, Rahm expressed optimism about his game and readiness for major championship pressure.

Reflecting on last year, when he struggled as the defending champion, Rahm acknowledged the challenges he faced after changing tours, stating, “Last year for me was tough because it was the first major after joining LIV and I was also defending.” He noted the pressure from new experiences, calling it a time of transition that affected his performance.

This year, Rahm seems re-energized and free of the internal struggles that marred his last Masters appearance. “I think a lot of it was more internal in my case than external,” he added, highlighting a newfound comfort in his game. His light-hearted demeanor at the press conference, which produced several laughs, reinforced his positive attitude as he prepares for the tournament.

In jest, Rahm remarked on his drop in the world rankings, quipping, “Where am I in the world rankings at this point? Am I out of the top 100 yet? A couple weeks to go and I’ll be gone.” Nevertheless, he maintained confidence in his abilities, asserting, “I would still undoubtedly consider myself a top-10 player in the world.”

Last year, Rahm experienced a disappointing major season, finishing T45 at the Masters and missing the cut at the PGA Championship. He withdrew from the U.S. Open due to an injury but managed to finish strong at the British Open with a T7. “Not my favorite major season last year, that’s true,” he acknowledged.

Rahm mentioned improvements in his swing and noted his consistent performance in LIV events this season. He has secured a top-10 finish in all five events this year, including a T9 at LIV Miami. This mirrors his previous year, though he struggled at the Masters. “I would just say last year I was able to score really well. Never really felt 100% comfortable with my game throughout,” Rahm said, reflecting on the psychological challenges of competing at the highest level.

The move from the PGA Tour to LIV created a complex image for Rahm, who has been working to reconcile his passion for the game with perceptions of his decision. His pre-Masters press conference last year was marred by media focus on his tour switch, but this year he relished the opportunity to discuss golf rather than his past choices.

When asked about the visual changes to Augusta National following last year’s hurricane, Rahm’s response drew laughter from the audience. “Somebody, I won’t say who, did tell me you can hit a high cut over the cabins on 10,” he joked, before speculating about the future of the trees around the course.

As Rahm gears up for the Masters, he appears refreshed and ready to reclaim his place among the elite. “Finally back in my element,” he described his mindset, hinting that a strong performance at Augusta National could be on the horizon, although the ultimate test remains to be seen.