Defending champion Jon Rahm voiced his frustration with The Masters organizers for their decision not to halt play despite winds gusting up to 40mph during Friday’s second round. Despite a challenging four-over-par 76, Rahm managed to just sneak into the weekend, finishing one shot below the cut line. Presently, he finds himself 11 shots adrift of the leaders – Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, and Max Homa – following a brutal day at Augusta, where the elements wreaked havoc on the course.
Rahm didn’t mince words when describing the conditions, labeling Augusta as one of the toughest golf courses he’s faced in a long time. He questioned the wisdom of continuing play, particularly after witnessing the 18th green blanketed in sand, altering the ball’s trajectory. Despite acknowledging the desire to complete the round, Rahm pointed out instances when play could have been suspended, notably when grappling with massive gusts on the 11th green.
Friday’s conditions were punishing, with only one player, Ludvig Aberg, managing to shoot below par with a commendable three-under-par 69. Remarkably, just eight players in total finished the round with scores under par. Rahm’s chances of retaining the coveted green jacket seem slim, compounded by his frustration over the sluggish pace of play amidst such challenging circumstances.
He criticized the extended duration of the round, which exceeded six hours due to frequent interruptions to blow the greens between groups, and delays caused by players hesitating repeatedly. Rahm’s candid remarks underscore the immense challenges faced by players in adverse weather conditions and raise pertinent questions about tournament management strategies in such situations.