After an enthralling and competitive display of skills at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the PGA Tour stars move to the old grounds at the 2023 PGA Tour’s BMW Championship. This will be the second event in the FedEx Playoffs with a 50-man roster. Without any doubt, some of the big names in the sporting arena will open on Thursday; one of these high-profile golfers is none other than Jon Rahm.
The Spaniard has had a dream run this year, with the second major title (2023 Masters Tournament) under his belt and only one missed cut. Consequently, these advancements have allowed the golfer to be surrounded by prestige and expectation. Hence, it was not surprising to witness the Spanish star come face-to-face with questions related to the Player of the Year award this week. However, remarkably, Rahm had quite a composed answer ready for the same!
A likely Player of the Year award draws out an honest confession from Jon Rahm
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Now that the game of golf is nearing its season’s end, curiosity regarding upcoming postseason honors is natural. Submitting to this inquisitiveness, one of the reporters asked the World No. 3, Jon Rahm, if the probability of winning the Player of the Year award again acts as an added motivation as he gears up for the upcoming PGA Tour event. And whether the reward has crossed his mind at all!
Rahm, who previously won the honor in 2021, honestly replied that he only thinks about the Player of the Year award when he is questioned by the press. His answer drew an apology from the reporter. However, the 2023 Masters champion was quick to politely address the fact that it is his job to ask these questions.
Continuing, the Spanish icon said, “The Player of the Year award is earned on the golf course“. Elaborating on his statement, Rahm believed that this was his ultimate purpose—to deliver on the greens. While focusing on his upcoming games, the 28-year-old acknowledged that the presence of his skills in previous tournaments has allowed him to be in contention for the Player of the Year award.
However, for the two-time major winner, it is not only how one starts that matters but also how one finishes that counts. So, his aim would be to play well this week and the next. This, he believed, would help him “leave no questionables in there and just clinch it.”
While Rahm appeared to be comfortable with his form and hoped for a good finish to the 2023 season, there is another individual who might prove to be a tough competition for the Player of the Year trophy: the World No. 1—Scottie Scheffler. However, this week, the Spanish golfer can improve his stance in the fight. After all, he’s playing at the Olympia Fields North Course, a course he’s far too familiar with.
Will the sense of familiarity prove to be an advantage for Rahm?
If one asks a Jon Rahm fan to recall some of his best tournaments, most likely the 2020 BMW Championship will be one of them. This tournament saw a young player evolve into a mature golfer as he competed with an in-form Dustin Johnson. His brilliant 66-foot putt on the first playoff hole will be forever remembered as a classic stroke in a FedEx Cup Playoff event.
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Now, three years later, the Spanish professional will once again face the familiar air of the Olympia Fields. However, this time, he will be accompanied by his experience as an 11-time PGA Tour winner with two majors to his name. While these titles can annex pressure, Rahm is sure to convert them into added inspiration.
His victory at the 2023 BMW Championship might as well increase his chance to claim the PGA of America’s Player of the Year Award. The athlete already has 10 top-10 finishes, two runner-up results, and four wins this season. A victory this week might prove to be an added bonus that will allow him to stand clear for the end-of-year honor.
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What do you think of Jon Rahm’s honest opinion regarding the Player of the Year Honor? Let us know in the comments!
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