The latest edition of the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play, commonly known as the World Match Play, It didn’t start off in the best possible way for Jon Rahm. The Spanish golfer, who reappeared this Wednesday at the Austin Country Club in Texas (USA) for the first time after his retirement in The Players, he fell in the first direct confrontation of the tournament against the American Rickie Fowler by 2&1. Despite a sensational start, Rahmbo faded in the second half against a player with extensive experience in this format and paid dearly: now he is no longer dependent on himself to advance to the round of 16.
Rahm’s comeback was a dream, taking two of the first three holes of the day. The advantage was comfortable for the Spaniard, who started very successful with the putt and without the problems with the driver of past tournaments. Jon could not be trusted against an opponent, 34 years old and 59th in the world ranking, with a great career in the format matchplay. Behind their backs, Fowler charges with four Ryder Cup appearances, three in the Presidents Cup and one in the extinct World Cup by countries. With a dart on the 4th hole, where he couldn’t make a very short putt, Rickie sent a warning of what was to come.
Rediscovering his wonderful golf that long abandoned him years ago, Fowler took out the roller before an erratic Rahm. The one from Barrika, with no options to recover number one this week, rusted from the tee out and lost the initial success in the greens. In minute 8, after a bogey by Rahm caused by a mistake with the driver, the American closed the gap, and shortly after the game changed its direction. Three putts from Jon at 11, another three at 12. Suddenly, Fowler was leading, and the bleeding could have been greater if Rahm did not hole out at 13. In search of a comeback, the Basque committed a bogey at 15 that turned out to be definitive. Fowler did not miss out on the rent, at minute 17 he closed the game and dealt the Spaniard the first defeat in this World Match Play.
This setback complicates Rahmbo’s situation in Austin. To access the round of 16, Jon no longer depends on himself. He needs to win the two games he has pending against Billy Horschel (Thursday at 4:26 p.m.) and Keith Mitchell, who also met this Wednesday with a tie result. In addition, Fowler would have to give up at least one of his two remaining games against his compatriots so that Rahm could force a tiebreaker. Things get complicated for the number two in the world.