Waste Management Phoenix Open: Power rankings at TPC Scottsdale
Jon Rahm is in his adopted home state this week. The Spaniard and Arizona State alumna is back at the Phoenix Open, where he made a name for himself by finishing T-5 as an amateur in 2015 (70-68-66-68). That was only his second career PGA Tour start.
He’s continued to play well at TPC Scottsdale. He finished T-16 in 2017 (70-69-65-70), T-11 in 2018 (67-68-65-72) and T-10 last year (67-68-70-69).
In 16 career rounds, he’s been over par just once (a 1-over 72 in 2018) and is a combined 45-under.
Expect more where that came from as this course suits Rahm’s bombing style well.
"“I love this week, I love the golf course, I love the tournament,” Rahm said in 2019. “ I played good so far here, so I hopefully I can keep it going for 30 years.”"
Rahm is up to No. 3 in the world not just for his play in the desert. He’s played extremely well of late, with two runner-up finishes on the PGA Tour and two wins on the European Tour in his last seven starts.
The 25-year-old held the 54-hole lead at last week’s Farmers Insurance Open. He stumbled early on Sunday to fall well back of eventual champion, Marc Leishman. Rahm made a made dash in the closing six holes, going eagle-birdie-bogey-birdie-birdie-birdie to finish one back and in solo second place.
Rahm is known for his ball-striking (10th last year in strokes gained tee to green, 1.17) and birdie making (6th, 4.35). He also had a good putting week on Torrey Pines’ poa annua greens (1.966 SG).
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If that success with the flat stick can translate to TPC Scottsdale’s Bermuda greens, Rahm will be tough to beat.