I can do better: Jon Rahm warns rivals after taking lead at Scottish Open
US Open champion Jon Rahm warned his rivals he still has room for improvement after setting the clubhouse target on day two of the abrdn Scottish Open.
Rahm shrugged off a bizarre incident on his opening hole at the Renaissance Club, when a spectator nonchalantly walked on to the 10th tee and took a club out of playing partner Rory McIlroy’s bag, to race to the turn in just 29 shots.
And although the 26-year-old could only cover the front nine in level par, a second round of 65 gave him a halfway total of 11 under par and a one-shot lead over South Africa’s George Coetzee, who carded a second successive 66.
“Those first 10 holes I played incredible,” Rahm said. “I was seven under through 10 and the three pars I had were short putts that could have been made. They were clearly birdie chances. That’s not always going to happen.
“There were moments of luck too. If my second shot on 16 went two yards further than it did I would have had no shot to the pin. There were a couple of others like that. It was good golf combined with good luck.
“After that the elements changed and I was playing some holes in a wind I had never played before. I got a little hesitant.
“I made some aggressive swings without thinking about it as much as I could have because I was playing so well and maybe could have taken a step back. Swing-wise it’s good. If I just clean up some little mistakes it could be better.”
World number three Justin Thomas and England’s Ian Poulter were three shots off the pace on eight under, with American Scottie Scheffler another stroke back after a brilliant 63.
In contrast, McIlroy was set to miss the cut after adding a 71 to his opening 70 to finish one under par.
The 32-year-old was seventh in the US Open last month but laboured to a tie for 59th in the Irish Open last week and on current form faces an uphill battle to end his winless streak in majors in the Open Championship at Royal St George’s.
Latest
-
Equipment
Miura targets wider market with hollow-bodied IC-602 irons
Miura are out to build on their existing market with new clubs that cast a slightly wider net in terms of player quality.
-
Videos
WATCH: Young woman steps up confidently to drive – and loses club behind her
Golf’s influencer girls can make it look easy.
-
Equipment
Pros give their verdict on Callaway Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X balls
Callaway staffers have now had a good period of time to get used to their new ball offerings, the Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X.
-
Videos
WATCH: 7 times the pros horribly fluffed their shots like the rest of us
Just when you think you have it all figured out.
-
Equipment
Collin Morikawa switches his putter again – and marvels at ‘incredible’ results
Collin Morikawa isn’t a professional who changes clubs lightly but he also isn’t averse to moving with the times.
-
Videos
WATCH: Kid pulls off unbelievable flop shot over his dad’s head
The flop shot is all about getting up and down with precision and this kid has it all.
-
Equipment
The clubs that helped Peter Malnati end his title drought at the Valspar Championship
Titleist staffer Peter Malnati ended his long wait for another championship at Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course.
-
Videos
WATCH: Amateur golfer takes hacking to a new level – leaving crowd in fits of laughter
Hackers are going to hack.