Jon Rahm rebounds from rough start to share lead at Masters

Jon Rahm tees off on the fifth hole during the first round of The Masters golf tournament. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Network

Jon Rahm rebounds from rough start to take share of lead at the Masters

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 4/6/23

Jon Rahm double-bogeyed his first hole at the Masters but quickly rebounded by shooting a stellar nine-under par over the final 17 holes to end the day tied for first with Viktor Hovland and Brooks Koepka at seven-under.

His incredible turnaround was historic. Per ESPN Stats & Info, prior to Thursday, there were 554 instances where a golfer began a round at the Masters with a double-bogey or worse and Rahm finished with the lowest score among players who found themselves in a similar situation.

Jon Rahm's opening round at #themasters started with a 4-putt double-bogey. It ended with a 7-under 65.

That's the lowest round in Masters history which began with a double-bogey or worse.

(Entering today, there were 554 Masters rounds which began with a double or worse) pic.twitter.com/fwxGPN8uu5
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 6, 2023

He couldn't have scripted a worse start to his day after needing four putts to get past the first hole. He had an attempt at a birdie on the hole but things quickly fell apart.

Instead of the misstep setting the tone for his Masters appearance, Rahm rebounded immediately and by the time he teed off on the par-three fourth hole he was back at even.

He ended the first-nine three-under-par, including an eagle on the par-five No. 8.

Jon Rahm eagles hole No. 8 to move to three under par and into solo second place. #themasters pic.twitter.com/SLdYsZxD0B
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 6, 2023

On the back-nine, Rahm recorded birdies on both par-fives and another on a par-three. He finished the day with his seventh birdie in the opening round on the 18th hole par four.

After a double-bogey start, Jon Rahm recovered to shoot a seven-under 65. #themasters pic.twitter.com/3aCqedvMcn
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 6, 2023

Rahm entered the tournament ranked third in the world, behind No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and second-place Rory McIlroy. Per Forbes, the three golfers began the week with the best odds of winning the 2023 Masters. Scheffler was the favorite at +650 with McIlroy (+750) and Rahm (+850) directly behind him.

Scheffler is at three-under par through nine holes while McIlroy sits at one-over par through eight holes.

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