ACCIONA OPEN DE ESPAñA PRESENTED BY MADRID

September 28, 2024

Jon Rahm

Club de Campo Villa de Madrid

Quick Quotes

Q. What a day, 65 and no bogeys there. Talk us through the day.

JON RAHM: Overall very good day. I felt good with pretty much everything. Felt better than any other day. Felt stronger. Unfortunate situation over there on the 6th tee to have to -- to not be able to go over the creek on that hole, was going to be pretty easy today, and to have to play 7 into the wind with 3-wood.

And then after that, it didn't really affect me too much. Maybe a couple longer irons coming into some par 4s.

But at the end of the day on this course, if you put it in the fairway, you're always going to be better than hitting the driver off line. Did a pretty good job mitigating that.

But I was happy to get the driver as quickly back as I did. I just assumed I was going to play the rest of the round without it.

I was happy to hear the news on 12 that I was going to have it by 14. I think it might have been what -- I don't know, just a little moment of happiness that gave me a little boost for the rest of the round.

Q. How much of a test was that mentally to lose your driver and play half the round with a 3-wood?

JON RAHM: Honestly the biggest difference was 6. I mean, instead of hitting 4-iron, possibly 8-iron to driver, flip wedge to that green where you actually have control over the ball and can spin it quite easily, it makes a big difference.

On obviously on 7, I'll be able to cover the bunker on the right and make the shot into the green a lot easier.

3-wood, I had to hit a good 3-wood and then a good 5-wood, right, and was probably a little bit too aggressive today off the fairway and to lean on a really good bunker shot on that hole to give myself a birdie.

Past that, it doesn't really make a difference. 12 was maybe the one but luckily at least I had a wider fairway to hit it into. After 6, I was just, well, it is the reality; it is what it is, and this is what we're going to do.

Q. Tomorrow you have a chance to win for the fourth time. Looks like it's going to be an all-Spanish final group and one of your best friends in there. How excited are you heading into tomorrow?

JON RAHM: I'm very excited. I have yet to be paired with them in any tour in any tournament. We play a lot at home and it just hasn't happened yet. I'm glad that our first time is going to be here in the final round and final group.

I don't know what Angel is doing now on 18. With how 18 is playing now, possibly two or three back, which is not a massive difference on this golf course. I'm excited to see him in action. He's a very high-quality player and I'm excited to see Angel, as well. He's been playing really good the last few years.

And hopefully I can end up with the win but it's definitely going to be a Sunday atmosphere-wise that they haven't experienced yet. There's going to be a lot of people watching, and it's going to be a lot of fun.