What happened to Jon Rahm at the WGC-Dell Technologies Matchplay? Golfer crashes out of the tournament just weeks ahead of Masters
Jon Rahm had a forgettable outing at the WGC-Dell Technologies Matchplay as he crashed out of the tournament with his second loss in the group stage on Friday. Billy Horschel of the USA beat Rahm 5-and-4 to qualify for the quarterfinals of the event.
Rahm, who came into the event after recovering from illness, didn't have a great start as he lost to Rickie Fowler by 2-and-1 in the first match. It seemed he was coming back to his groove with a win in the next match against Keith Mitchell. But the loss against Horschel meant his journey at the WGC-Dell Matchplay was all but over.
Horschel holed a par on the second hole to go 1-up and after that, he never lost a lead in the whole game. The Spaniard seemed rough and couldn't even card a single birdie on Friday.
Horschel, on the other hand, made just one bogey on the sixth hole but his birdies on the 10th and 11th and then a 21-footer birdie on the 14th closed the game. Horschel will face Cameron Young in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
An illness at the Players Championship followed by a below-par performance at WGC-Dell Matchplay has raised some doubts regarding Jon Rahm's form just before the Masters. However, the 28-year-old will be hoping that it is just a minor hiccup.
2023 WGC-Dell Technologies Matchplay group standings
Here's the point table for each group at the WGC-Dell Technologies Matchplay:
Group 1
Player Points
Scottie Scheffler (1) 3
Davis Riley (64) 1.5
Tom Kim (19) 1
Alex Noren (44) 0.5
Group 2
Billy Horschel (24) 2.5
Rickie Fowler (59) 2
Jon Rahm (2) 1
Keith Mitchell (45) 0.5
Group 3
Rory McIlroy (3) 3
Keegan Bradley (22) 1.5
Scott Stallings (62) 1
Denny McCarthy (58) 0.5
Group 4
Patrick Cantlay (4) 3
Brian Harman (28) 2
Nick Taylor (67) 1
KH Lee (40) 0
Group 5
Max Homa (6) 3
Hideki Matsuyama (20)1
Kevin Kisner (48) 1
Justin Suh (78) 1
Group 6
Xander Schauffele (7)3
Cam Davis (79) 2
Aaron Wise (46) 1
Tom Hoge (25) 0
Group 7
Andrew Putnam (68) 3
Ryan Fox (34) 2
Harris English (43) 1
Will Zalatoris (8) 0
Group 8
Matt Kuchar (71) 2.5
Si Woo Kim (39) 2
Viktor Hovland (9) 1
Chris Kirk (33) 0.5
Group 9
Jason Day (37) 3
Collin Morikawa (11) 1.5
Victor Perez (61) 1
Adam Svensson (54) 0.5
Group 10
Kurt Kitayama (21) 2
Tony Finau (12) 2
Adrian Meronk (55) 2
Christiaan Bezuidenhout (72) 0
Group 11
J.J. Spaun (75) 3
Matt Fitzpatrick (13) 1
Sahith Theegala (29) 1
Min Woo Lee (47) 1
Group 12
Mackenzie Hughes (60) 2
Taylor Montgomery (57) 2
Jordan Spieth (14) 1
Shane Lowry (23) 1
Group 13
Sam Burns (15) 3
Seamus Power (35) 1
Adam Scott (38) 1
Adam Hadwin (63) 1
Group 14
Lucas Herbert (56) 3
Russell Henley (36) 2
Ben Griffin (77) 1
Tyrrell Hatton (16) 0
Group 15
Cameron Young (17) 3
Corey Conners (41) 2
Davis Thompson (69) 1
Sepp Straka (32) 0
Group 16
J.T. Poston (52) 3
Sungjae Im (18) 2
Tommy Fleetwood (26) 0.5
Maverick McNealy (70) 0.5