2021 AT&T Byron Nelson: Top 10 picks at TPC Craig Ranch

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Apr 25, 2021; Avondale, Louisiana, USA; Jon Rahm plays from the 1st hole fairway bunker during the final round round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /

All good things must come to an end. Jon Rahm’s made cut streak of 22 PGA Tour events spanning 329 days was halted last week at the Wells Fargo Championship.

Even then, the Spaniard was only two off the cut line at Quail Hollow and battled back from an opening 76 with a 70 to give him a chance at the weekend.

Alas, a little extra rest leading into a major can’t hurt. Plus, Rahm still leads the PGA Tour in top-10 finishes this season with nine. The high water mark of those was T-2nd at the Zozo Championship last fall.

More recently, Rahm posted T-5th at the Masters and had four top-10s in five events before Wells Fargo. Not to mention solo seventh alongside Ryan Palmer at the Zurich Classic where they were defending champions from 2019.

Rahm’s last win was in the FedEx Cup Playoffs at the BMW Championship back in August, so he’s overdue at this point for another trophy.

Rain early in the week could soften TPC Craig Ranch. That plays into Rahm’s hands. The big hitter ranks third on the PGA Tour in strokes gained off the tee (.801) and 21st in driving distance (306.9). He’s also fifth in greens in regulation (72.22%).

Ball striking isn’t a problem. He’s just been outside the top 100 in SG putting. Rahm doesn’t need to turn into Steve Stricker or Brad Faxon with the flat stick, but inching closer to the top 50 statistically should be all he needs to get back to the clip of winning two or three times a year.

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