Golf: Top-ranked Rahm grabs two-shot lead at Bay Hill
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Jon Rahm playing his shot from the 16th tee during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
PHOTO: AFP
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MIAMI – World No. 1 Jon Rahm is out to prove, once again, that he is the best golfer in the world right now.
The Spanish star made a big move at the end of his first round on Thursday to post a seven-under 65 and establish a two-shot lead at the PGA Tour’s Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Florida.
He started his day with three straight birdies and closed it by picking up four strokes in his last three holes with an eagle and two birdies.
The 28-year-old, who regained the top ranking with his third PGA Tour title of 2023 at Riviera in February
“I took advantage of the good swings,” Rahm said.
“I put myself in a really good spot on one off the tee. Took advantage with a wedge in my hand.
“I can say the two shots on two and 17, to have a combined six feet in those two holes, it just doesn’t happen.
“I hit two really good shots and landed in a very precise spot.”
Rahm added that he did not feel “shaky” in between his opening and closing bursts.
He bogeyed the eighth and birdied the 12th, and was pleased with par-saving putts at the 10th and 15th.
“I felt like I played a pretty good round of golf, it’s just not easy,” said the Spaniard, who has won five of his past nine starts worldwide and finished in the top 10 in each of his past 10 starts.
“Those fairways are getting firm and they’re not easy to hit. When you miss the fairway, you’re going to be chopping it out of the rough and hoping for dear life.”
Kirk is coming off his first victory in almost eight years
It was his fifth PGA Tour title, but his first since he took a break from the tour in 2019 to deal with depression and alcohol misuse.
“So 5.30am came early this morning and felt strange a little bit, like, ‘OK, we’re really doing this all over again’,” he said.
“I felt a little bit like a zombie this morning, but can’t really take away from the excitement that I have playing this event every year.”
World No. 2 Scottie Scheffler, who has a chance to regain the top spot from Rahm this week, headed a group of eight players on 68 that included Jordan Spieth and Patrick Cantlay.
Rory McIlroy, the 2018 champion at Bay Hill who could also return to No. 1, opened with a one-over 73. AFP, REUTERS
