Jon Rahm soars into FedEx St. Jude lead with career-low 62

Jon Rahm equalled the lowest round of his career by firing a bogey-free eight-under 62 to take the lead after the first round of the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational.
The Spaniard, fresh from his tied-11th place finish at last week’s Open Championship, holds a three-shot lead over Patrick Cantlay, Bubba Watson, Cameron Smith, Hideki Matsuyama and Shugo Imahira.
Rahm’s scintillating 62 was mostly down to a hot putter, as he needed just 23 putts to negotiate the TPC Southwind course in Memphis, Tennessee.
An 8-under par 6️⃣2️⃣.
18-hole leader @JonRahmPGA had it all going today @WGCFedEx.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/kZJBRmDqfH
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 26, 2019
It’s been an exceptionally busy period of traveling for Rahm, who competed in two majors on two different continents, and won the Irish Open inbetween.
“I didn’t do anything Monday or Tuesday, I just rested and stretched at the hotel, in the room,” he said.
“And then yesterday I came with the plan of playing 18 holes. I putted and warmed up, and after four holes I was dead. I couldn’t swing properly.
“I was really tired, so I just decided to just finish the round of nine holes, eat and just putt a little bit and go.
“I tried to put a little emphasis on being rested and it paid off today. I have three more days to go and hopefully the battery lasts.
“My last 10 holes, I made a lot of putts. I hit really good putts and I read the greens properly, but I think the main key out of all that, it was my positioning,” he added.
Further down the field, World No 1 Brooks Koepka opened with a two-under 68, while former No 1 Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy both shot one-under 69s.
English duo Tyrrell Hatton and Ian Poulter opened with 66s to lie tied-seventh, while Justin Rose had a 67 and Tommy Fleetwood a 68.
💧@JustinRose99 moves to 3-under through 5 holes.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/ZRFPnxJx6H
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 25, 2019
Latest
-
News
My last win feels a long time ago – Rory McIlroy aiming to start year on a high
McIlroy has not tasted victory since November 2019.
-
News
Rory McIlroy insists Justin Thomas will ‘try to be better’ after homophobic slur
World number three Thomas was heard using a derogatory word towards himself after missing a par putt in Hawaii.
-
News
Rory McIlroy sad to miss Conor McGregor fight
Rory McIlroy has been to UFC star Conor Mcgregor’s last three fights but will miss Saturday’s clash due to European Tour commitments.
-
News
Rory McIlroy backs Tiger Woods to make quick recovery from latest back surgery
McIlroy expects the American to be fit for the Masters in April.
-
News
Tiger Woods focusing on return to PGA Tour after undergoing fifth back operation
The 45-year-old will miss the Farmers Insurance Open and the Genesis Invitational.
-
News
Lee Westwood resumes bid for record-equalling 11th Ryder Cup appearance
The 47-year-old occupied one of the automatic places in the team before the golf was stopped due to Covid-19.
-
News
Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew turns to Golfer’s CBD in pursuit of further success
Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew believes Golfer’s CBD could play a vital role in her future success.
-
News
Sponsor Ralph Lauren drops Justin Thomas following homophobic slur in Hawaii
The world number three uttered the derogatory word towards himself after missing a putt at Kapalua last weekend.
-
News
Bryson DeChambeau keeping brain relaxed to avoid repeat of Masters misery
DeChambeau said his brain went into overdrive at Augusta National.
-
News
European Tour preparing for business as planned in the Middle East
Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is due to start next week.