AUSTIN (Texas) — The World Golf Championships Match Play event has attracted a lot of players since its inception in 1999, in La Costa, California. Jon Rahm, one of the players who has been insistent that the PGA Tour bring back the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play format sooner than expected, received the news .
When asked about it before Wednesday’s first round, 2 replied that he would be on board. 2 stated that he would be there for any future event, even if it were reintroduced as an event not elevated.
“I love match play. Rahm asked, “Why not?” Rahm said, “It’s a really enjoyable format, so it’s probably I would, yes.”
Rahm has not won the WGC Match Play but reached the finals in 2017, the second year in Austin, before being eliminated by then-No. 1 Dustin Johnson.
The Spaniard insists that he enjoys this slot in the schedule. It offers some variety to players who are used to the same 72-hole tournament structure every week.
Rahm stated, “As a player it’s just a chance to play kinda a different golf.” It’s the only time in the year, other than maybe the Ryder Cup, when you play against someone in front of your. This is much more comparable to any sport we play around the world which is essentially about playing better than the people in front.
“It’s all about you taking care of your business and beating the other 150 players on the field. It’s fun. It’s much more aggressive. It’s easier to see more birds. It’s easier to see many things.
Jon Rahm from Spain makes his approach on the 13th green during the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play tournament at Austin Country Club. This was in 2018. (Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports)
Rahm understands, however, why this format is so difficult to sell. Sponsors in large hospitality tents are only able to get a few matches as the field shrinks in the last days of the event.
“When clients come out here, Dell customers, Sunday afternoon they have the consolation match, and the final. So, they get 15 minutes of golf, if you’re lucky. Rahm stated, “I’m being generous right there, that go through every one of the tents. You’ll need to move around unless you are in a position where you can see more holes than one, such as it could be on 13 or 15 of those tents.
“TV is a lot slower than other sports in between shots. It’s not impossible to find a solution. There’s a way around it. I believe we should have a match play event every season. It’s just that I don’t know how to make it entertaining enough for the whole weekend.
Rahm expressed interest in keeping a match-play event on PGA Tour’s schedule. However, he said that he isn’t sure if other players will share his enthusiasm. It can be frustrating for players to play well in the beginning, but then run into some hot opponents and are eliminated. On Wednesday, he will open play in a highly-publicized pool with Keith Mitchell, Rickie Fowler and 2021 champion Billy Horschel.
Rahm stated, “It is possible to lose the first two matches of a good match of golf. You have no chance of qualifying. But you still need to play Friday because it might affect your group. You can win all the matches, or you can play great golf. It’s understandable why people don’t like it. However, it is very unlikely that someone will not try their best and make it through the group.
There are many reasons someone might not like it. Match play is what I enjoy. It’s fun, regardless of whether you win or lose. It’s always been a pleasure to make it to the group stage, win or lose, every time.
