Jon Rahm: Back-to-Back Masters Champion Aspirations – Golf News

The countdown is on and preparations for the Masters begin as the world’s best descend on Augusta for the first major championship of the year. After winning the Green Jacket last year, Jon Rahm will be hoping to become the first player to win back-to-back Masters since Tiger Woods in 2002.

Impressive Masters Record

All eyes will be on Rahm come April. The Spaniard cruised to a four-shot victory over Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson in 2023 and is currently third in the Masters betting odds to lift the trophy at 10/1.

Those looking to bet on golf will find world number one and two, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, tied as favourites at 8/1. However, given Rahm’s track record at Augusta, it would be somewhat foolish to write the 29-year-old off.

Rahm made his Masters debut in 2017, finishing a respectable T27. In the years following, he achieved four consecutive top-10 finishes, including a fourth-place finish in his second competition and a T5 in 2021. He then had a brief hiatus from the top 10 in 2022, before returning with a bang and finally getting his hands on the trophy in 2023.

His Masters triumph this time last year kickstarted an impressive 2023, in which he also finished T10 at the U.S. Open and T2 at The Open Championship. In addition, he’s bagged three PGA Tour Event victories and Ryder Cup success.

2024 Thus Far

It’s been another solid start to the year for Rahm, who transitioned to LIV Golf toward the back end of 2023 in a deal worth more than $300 million.

Rahm’s first outing was the Mayakoba LIV Golf Invitational, in which he finished T3 in a strong field, with the title taken by Joaquin Niemann in a play-off with veteran Sergio Garcia. He then finished eighth in the Las Vegas Invitational, appearing frustrated as he asked fans to quieten down on the tee box.

While his game might not be exactly where he wants it in the build-up to the Masters, Rahm is a man who knows how to turn it on at Augusta. He’s rarely more than a few shots off the lead and will be among the frontrunners once again this year.

Rahm’s Biggest Rivals

The odds currently mirror the golf world rankings, with Scheffler, McIlroy and Rahm making up the top three.

As expected Scheffler has been incredibly consistent so far this year, having registered four top-10 finishes in his five outings. However, it’s no secret that the American has struggled with his putting, which could be the difference-maker in the year’s first major.

McIlroy will also be one to watch. The Northern Irishman began his year with a T2 on the DP World Tour at the Dubai Invitational before going on to win the Dubai Desert Classic the following week.

While Rahm’s form might be a touch patchy heading to Georgia, his major championship form speaks for itself. Form often goes out the window at the world’s most prestigious events, and Rahm could make history should he come out on top.