PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

May 20, 2021

Jon Rahm

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island

Quick Quotes

THE MODERATOR: We are joined by Jon Rahm, who posted an even par 72 today.

A lot of pars out there, one birdie, one bogey on each side. How did it flow for you today?

JON RAHM: Well, I'm happy with my score. It was not my best ball-striking round by a long run -- by a long shot. I was able to manage for the most part. Quite surprised I was even par through five with only hitting one green and getting some good up-and-downs, and I had a good stretch of golf there. I played 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 okay, and then from then on it was a bit of a battle, right, and those last five holes, I think everybody would take playing those five even par.

So I'm happy, to be honest. Hopefully tomorrow I can start a little bit better off the tee and sharpen a couple of the iron shots and give myself a lot more birdie chances because I really didn't have that many and keep it going. It's not a bad start. It's not a bad start at all.

Q. How would you describe the conditions out there today?

JON RAHM: It's difficult, man. I mean, technically I would say starting on 1 might be a little easier because you start with four holes into the wind that you can manage and then you get 5 through 13 downwind where you can maybe get some scores going, right.

At the same time, you also finish with five really, really difficult holes, but by that point you might have even gotten some confidence in the swing and you can finish it strong. Hey, Phil shot 4-under on the back nine so anything is possible. It's tricky. You have to hit really good golf shots out there, and if you're not, you've got to manage properly and really rely on your short game and that's not something you want to do all week because it's really tricky around the greens, and you're not always going to end up in the best spot.

Hopefully in my case, I can polish that a little bit and get a little bit better ball-striking-wise, which hasn't been a problem in the past. I hope it's not a problem this week either.