“Keep it strictly about the game” – Jon Rahm doesn’t want beer showered on him at the WM Phoenix Open
Jon Rahm is ready for the 2023 Waste Management Phoenix Open. The World No. 3 golfer will tee off along with the rest of the field on Thursday, February 9.
While the Spaniard is excited about the event, he isn’t looking forward to beer cans being thrown onto the greens at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona.
For the unversed, the event took a weird turn in 2022. Many of the 20,000 spectators in the grandstand decided to throw down beer cans while watching Sam Ryder do a hole-in-one. While this was meant to be in celebration, the fans’ action prompted a 10-minute delay in play.
The action was repeated when Justin Thomas, who was playing alongside Rahm, chipped in on the same hole in the final round.
Now, ahead of the event, Rahm has come forward to state that he isn’t keen on beer-can throws. The Spanish golfer recalled the event and said that he would like the fans to ensure that their actions were “strictly about the game.”
Speaking in a pre-event press conference in Arizona, Jon Rahm said:
"Since I came here for the first time eight years ago it's gotten exponentially louder and louder. It's been a significant difference every year…
"On 16 last year when Justin Thomas chipped in, I didn't want to see the water bottle coming straight for my head from the third story (of the grandstand), but I did see it, so hopefully those are things they rein back on and keep it strictly about the game."
Rahm went on to add that he didn’t want to deal with such fans. He added:
"Those are things people don't want to deal with on a regular basis. It's one week a year, so I think a lot of us welcome it for one week."
Jon Rahm lauds the Waste Management Phoenix Open
Jon Rahm’s comments on fan behavior came while speaking about the 2023 Waste Management Phoenix Open. Describing the PGA Tour event ahead of its start, the Spaniard pointed out that the Open was a "designated" event even before it was officially announced as one.
Speaking to the media about the $20 million prize event, the golfer said:
"I think this was a designated event before we ever knew what they were going to be… No matter what the purse is, this tournament is going to be what it is.
"Very few sporting events in the world can comfortably happen in the same week as the Super Bowl and still have the impact that they have like this one.”
With 4 top-10s in 7 starts at the WM Phoenix Open, including a T10 in 2022, Jon Rahm is seeking a 3rd win of the season at TPC Scottsdale this week. https://t.co/eyJn0srUJJ
However, he went on to add that the event might not be a common favorite. Rahm pointed out that he loved playing at the WM Phoenix Open but understood why others chose against it.
The 2021 US Open winner added:
"With that said, I don't think it's everybody's favorite. I think either you love it or hate it. There's no in between. With my case, I love it. I want to come every year. It ranks highly in my list but I know a few players that put it far down their list."
The 2023 WM Phoenix Open will start on Thursday, February 9, and go on till the 12th.