In twelfth place out of 32 in play. This is how Jon Rahm is ranked in the Sentry Tournament of Champions after the opening day of the first PGA Tour event of the year, which is being played in Hawaii.
The Barrika native made five birdies and two bogeys and starts today at Kapalua Golf Club tied with the reigning Masters champion, Patrick Reed, Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson.
The American Kevin Tway is the sole leader thanks to his 66 strokes, 7 under par. His closest pursuers, with one stroke more, are Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas and Gary Woodland.
One of the great protagonists of the opening day of the Tournament of Champions has been Bryson DeChambeau, also known as the Mad Scientist, and it has been for taking advantage of the new rules that have come into force this year, specifically that of being able to kick from the green with the flag on. The peculiar American player, who became famous for making his own irons all with the same shaft length, had already warned: he was going to take advantage of the flag rule. And judging by the result of his first round, it seems he was absolutely right. In fact, he kicked several holes leaving the flag in the hole, especially on downhill and drop shots, and ended up being the best in the putting stats.
At 4 under par, three behind the leader, DeChambeau will tee off today tied for sixth with Day Jason, Patton Kissire, Andrew Landry, Rory McIlroy and Andrew D. Puntam.
When asked how much he had been practicing his putts with the flag on, DeChambeau shrugged and said, “Maybe 20 putts, that’s it, no big deal. It’s not difficult. People make it too complicated.”
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