Masters champion Rahm explains decision not to follow McIlroy with PGA snub

12 April 2023 , 21:33

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Masters champion Rahm explains decision not to follow McIlroy with PGA snub

Despite barely getting any sleep after celebrating his victory at the Masters on Sunday, world number one Jon Rahm is set to tee off at the RBC Heritage less than a week later.

Rahm won his second major championship by four shots at Augusta, holding off challenges from LIV Golf stars Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson. And although he admitted is still tired after a "very demanding week", Rahm decided not to pull out of the RBC Heritage event.

Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy decided to withdraw after missing the cut at the Masters but Rahm has insisted on playing, stating: "If I was one of the kids, I would want to see the recent Masters champion play".

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Rahm reflected on his win and the subsequent celebrations. "I know it's a few days after the Masters, but it feels a little bit different," he admitted.

"I slept terrible. Night after wins, I don't know if it's the adrenaline or whatever it is, I've never been able to sleep good at all. The next night, Monday night, I slept great and still woke up tired.

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"It's getting better every day. It was a very demanding week, a lot going on with the weather and a lot of fighting and a lot of work mentally obviously. So it's going to take a little bit to get to a good spot, but I'm feeling good."

He also admitted he did contemplate pulling out of the tournament, but decided against it after speaking with his wife Kelley. "It did cross my mind, but I made a commitment earlier in the year, and I want to honour that commitment," he added.

Jon Rahm is back in action less than a week after winning the Masters (Getty Images)

"I also, talking to Kelley, I put myself in the shoes of not only the spectators, but the kids as well. If I was one of the kids, I would want to see the recent Masters champion play, good or bad, just want to be there."

And having decided to play, the Spaniard could win a second jacket in as many weeks with a Heritage Plaid jacket on offer to go with the iconic green number he won at the Masters. "I still intend to hopefully do the jacket double and take this one home, but it did cross my mind [to withdraw] and obviously I think it would have crossed anybody's because I was so tired.

"But that's why I decided to come in yesterday [Tuesday] afternoon and take it easier and just give my body a rest before I got into competition mode. I can promise you that every time I tee it up in a tournament, it's going to be to win. I intend to try my hardest to win."

Matthew Cooper