Jon Rahm, during the second round at Mayakoba. (Photo by Charles Laberge/LIV Golf)
Jon Rahm has seen how its difference with Joaco Niemann before the last 18 holes of the LIFE Golf of Mayakoba has been cut from fourth to two strokes. It is the consequence of the penalty that the Chilean golfer has received for the relief he took on the 13th hole this Saturday.
Specifically, according to the review of the images carried out by the LIV Golf referees, it is estimated that Niemann did not comply with the one club distance rule when making the drop. As it was, he played his shot from a wrong place, which equated to a two-stroke penalty.
It happened on the 13th hole, as you can see in the video below. Niemann sent his second shot on this par 5 into the jungle on the right. The penalty drop, which was done correctly, placed his ball in the path and it was when he took relief from the path that the error occurred. Joaco drops with two sticks when in reality he should take one as it is without penalty. An error of this type is surprising when it is the first of the rules.
Thus, his second round card has been corrected. Instead of 70 strokes he has made 72, so that his total result is no longer -13, but -11. Therefore, Rahm, who is nine under par before getting the ball rolling this Sunday, is two strokes behind Niemann and not four, the same as Dean Burmestertied with Jon for second position.
This decision by the tournament referees ostensibly changes Rahm’s chances of winning this Sunday, as well as those of Sergio Garcia. Suddenly, the Borriol golfer has entered the fight. Starting the last day six strokes off the lead has nothing to do with starting it four shots behind. A door to victory opens for Sergio.
The third and final round of Mayakoba will start at the El Camaleón Golf Club starting at 7:05 p.m., Spanish peninsular time. The star party is made up of Niemann, who said yesterday that he is especially motivated to see himself for the first time in a last tee time fighting for the win with Rahm, Jon himself and Burmester.
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