Zurich Classic Power Rankings: Picking the top ten teams in New Orleans

No offense to Ryan Blaum, but Wesley Bryan’s got to be pleased with his trade-up this year.

An immediate connection doesn’t come to mind between Bryan, a 28-year-old from Columbia, South Carolina, who competed for the Gamecocks and Rahm, 23-year-old Spaniard and former Arizona State Sun Devil.

It doesn’t take a common alma mater, swing coach or age to unite golfers on Tour. These two have become fast friends.

Rahm spent five days at Bryan’s house in Augusta while on a scouting trip for the Masters, according to the Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard.

“We play a lot of practice rounds together and we just like spending time with each other,” Rahm said. “He’s just a really fun guy to be around on the golf course.”

Rahm’s temper can flare in competition, but he’s otherwise known to have a fun personality. An easygoing guy like Bryan appears to mesh well with Rahm, and Rahm’s English proficiency eliminates a potential language barrier.

Oh yeah, they’re also both pretty good golfers, too.

Rahm won his last start two weeks ago at the Open de Espana as well as the PGA Tour’s CareerBuilder Challenge. He’s never been to New Orleans, but the globetrotting golfer looks comfortable wherever he goes.

Bryan’s struggled of late after winning on Tour in 2017. He could redeem himself just on his putter alone, which ranks 24th in strokes gained. Rahm is capable of doing a lot of the rest.