When Jon Rahm walked off the 18th green at The Memorial in 2020, he was informed that he would be docked 2 strokes for having moved a blade of grass before completing one of the greatest chip shots I had ever seen. That penalty, albeit now infamous, would not effect the outcome. Jon Rahm was dominant, and became champion of The 2020 Memorial Tournament.
Recency
Jon Rahm had been struggling of late. A new sponsor (Calloway) and his new equipment had given him multiple poor showings. He also missed a cut, which made industry headlines. Regardless, He got himself back up, and dusted off. Rahm went out on Saturday morning to finish off a 2nd round 65, that included a hole in one on the 16th hole. Apparently Jon had finally become comfortable with his equipment, and this new Calloway putter. He regrouped quickly, to go out and record a record tying (to Tiger I believe) 64 on Saturday afternoon.
Lightning Strikes Twice
He was walking off the 18th green when he was met by officials once again. They informed him that he had tested positive for Covid 19. Jon Rahm had been deemed close contact with a positively tested person earlier in the week. Previous to the round, Jon had been properly meeting PGA protocols by practicing in quarantine, and testing negative each day of the tournament. He was forced to withdraw from the tournament.
Rahm has just became a father of his first born son, and was also awaiting the arrival of his parents from Spain. He hadn’t seem them since Pre Covid, March of 2020. He was looking to become a back to back champion at The Memorial, and would have won close to $1.7 million dollars.
The worst part. Jon Rahm will now have to self quarantine, and remain in isolation for 14 days. With a newborn son, and parents on U.S. soil, Rahm will not be eligible to return to PGA play until June 15th, which happens to be 2 days before the start of the 3rd major of the season, The U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.
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