RIDGELAND (S.C.) — Jon Rahm believed his 7-iron at 195 yards had missed the pin due to a long shadow on the green. He heard the crowd react just moments later to his shot, which was only an inch away from hitting the hardest hole at Congaree. Rahm shouldn’t have been surprised by the way his day turned out. Rahm found the clubface on almost every shot. He put on a show Friday at THE CJ cup in South Carolina. He made 10 birdies in his round, which was 9-under 62. This gave him a share in the lead with Kurt Kitayama. Rahm looked like a player who is making steady progress towards the end of the year, coming off his victory in the Spanish Open two weeks ago. On the front nine, Rahm made four consecutive birdies. All of them were within 10 feet. On the par-4 eighth, he made a bunker shot of 60 feet. Then he hit a 35-footer at the par-3 10th. He then added three more birdies with his shot into 17th which landed just short of the cup’s edge. In the second round, only four players made birdie at that hole. He was so impressed with the round that he highlighted two swings that felt absolutely perfect. Those were two that he didn’t convert to birdie. He said, “It was a lot more good out there today.” Rahm needed one more birdie to finish his career-low round. His wedge into the 18th rolled down a steep slope and landed against a bunkerrake. He made his only bogey with a strong pitch, which rolled 30 feet in front of him. Kitayama, a 29-year old Californian, hit a difficult bunker shot for eagle at the par-5 12th for 65. He joined Rahm at 11 under 131. After his first round, Aaron Wise practiced putting. It paid off in his round of 65. Cam Davis (66) was also two strokes behind him. Rory McIlroy (67), was two strokes back of the leaders at 9 under. Tom Kim was aiming for his third PGA TOUR win in six starts. He was tied for sixth with McIlroy, four shots behind. McIlroy birdied McIlroy’s 18th to complete a 30-hole back nine. McIlroy is the current champion and can reach No. McIlroy, the defending champion who can reach No. 1, was more concerned about Rahm’s performance in the group in front of him. McIlroy stated that he was trying to grab Rahm’s coattails. Congaree is a fast course with steep slopes around its edges, and it’s not difficult to get out of position. He was a good example of how Congaree can be repositioned quickly. McIlroy was off-center twice and, while it wasn’t a major problem, it was enough for him to lose two shots on the front nine. He then putted a 30-footer at the par-3 10, and was well on his way. Kitayama, who had played before, was not far from the lead but his round on the par-512th hole saw him take a step forward. Kitayama was in the right bunker which is a very popular spot to miss. He thought his ball was running hot but it hit the pin and fell for eagle. Kitayama stated, “Went in dead centre, so that’s good.” Kitayama added a pair 10-foot birdie putsts in the final round to give him a share in the lead heading into the weekend, his first PGA TOUR win. It took the UNLV graduate a while to return home. He once played in a developmental tour event, where he was paid cash on the spot. But it was a great time. In his first year, he finished 40th at the FedExCup. He will participate in at least eight elevated events that offer prize money of at least $20,000,000 next year. Rahm continues to be strong, even though it’s late in the year. He considers the Spanish Open important and won it for his third time to tie Seve Ballesteros, his national hero. He has his sights set on Europe’s No. With the DP World Championship in Dubai next month, he still has his sights on being Europe’s No. What about then? Rahm stated, “It’s Thanksgiving so probably put on some pounds.” “I don’t need them, but I will be joining that club as everyone else most likely.”
Title: Jon Rahm, Kurt Kitayama share lead at THE CJ CUP
Sourced From: www.pgatour.com/daily-wrapup/2022/10/21/jon-rahm-kurt-kitayama-share-lead-at-the-cj-cup-in-south-carolina.html
Published Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2022 18:58:00 -0400
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