RESTED RAHM READY FOR HOME SUPPORT AT PGA PHOENIX OPEN, CATCH ALL THE ACTION ON DSTV SUPERSPORT
Jon Rahm of Spain on the fourth hole during the final round of the 2022 Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament on the South Course of the Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, California, USA, 29 January 2022. EPA/ERIK S. LESSER
By KGG Team
Top-ranked Jon Rahm is among the favorites at this week’s PGA Phoenix Open and the reigning US Open champion says a year-end break refreshed him and more could be coming.
Rahm, who finished in the top eight at all four majors last year, was runner-up at the Tournament of Champions last month in Hawaii and third two weeks ago at Torrey Pines, where he captured his first major title last June.
The Spaniard’s 2 1/2-month break at the end of last year has rejuvenated his game ahead of his start at TPC Scottsdale.
“One of the best decisions I’ve made in my life was taking those 2 1/2 months off,” Rahm said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s something I do more often.
“To have some time to just be home and enjoy the time off is great. This is probably one of the reasons why I’ve started playing so good.
“Even though my game didn’t feel at its best, I feel like I’m refreshed enough. Call it competitive stamina. It’s high enough to where I can actually pull it through and finish strong.
“I’m playing good golf and hopefully starting this week things start clicking a little bit better.”
SuperSport viewers on DStv can look forward to seeing all the action from the PGA Tour’s Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Phoenix, Arizona from Thursday 10 to Sunday 13 February 2022.
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Formerly known as the Phoenix Open, this tournament was founded in 1932 and has the reputation as ‘The Greatest Show on Grass’. The all-time leaders in terms of wins at this event are the great Arnold Palmer, Gene Littler, Mark Calcavecchia and Phil Mickelson – all of whom have three times to their name.
The defending champion is Brooks Koepka who claimed his second Waste Management Phoenix Open title in 2021, shooting a -19 265 to come home one stroke ahead of Xander Schauffele and Lee-Kyoung hoon.
“It’s been a wild ride for the last year and a half and very frustrating,” Koepka said of his triumph at last year’s tournament. “I’ve had moments where I didn’t know if I was going to be the same, if I could even come back.
“I went through it mentally. I think that’s probably the toughest thing, where you don’t know if you’re ever going to be the same competitor that you were. You go through some real dark places, and it’s not a fun place to be.”
Alongside Koepka, this year’s field includes Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler. “Last year we had one of the strongest fields we have ever had in tournament history, and we look to continue that trend in 2022,” tournament chairman Dr. Michael Golding said.
Another entrant to watch out for is Arizona State University freshman Preston Summerhays, who received the first sponsor exemption into the Open.
“I first started standard bearing at the Waste Management Phoenix Open when I was 10-years-old, so this event is like a major championship to me,” Summerhays said. “To be able to compete against the very best players in the world, in this amazing atmosphere, in my own backyard, is a dream come true.”
The TPC Scottsdale Courses are 7,266 yards, par 71 (Stadium Course) and 7,115 yards, par 71 (Champions Course). The purse for the Waste Management Phoenix Open is $8.2million.
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Waste Management Phoenix Open broadcast details
All times CAT
Thursday 10 February
22:00: Day 1 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf
Friday 11 February
22:00: Day 2 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf
Saturday 12 February
20:00: Day 3 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf
Sunday 13 February