Jon Rahm took a step backwards in order to take two steps forward.
The No. 2-ranked golfer in the world and reigning Masters champion faced a daunting predicament on the sixth hole during the third round of the 2023 U.S. Open at the Los Angeles Country Club on Saturday.
Rahm was too aggressive and overhit his tee shot, lacing it straight into the back greenside bunker.
He then faced two options for his next shot — try to chip the ball over the edge of the bunker, putting enough power and air under it so that it made it out of the trap while also providing enough spin, or play the safer route.
Rahm chose the latter, intentionally hitting the ball backwards out of the bunker — the opposite direction of the hole — and added a little bit of english while using the hills in order to keep the ball on the green.
“You hardly ever see it, the number of times a professional golfer is forced to play away from the hole,” NBC analyst Morgan Pressel said on the broadcast. “But that’s a smart play, not being too aggressive because if he would’ve gone for that hole location, he would’ve been on the other side in the fescue.”
It paid off for the Spaniard.
After chipping his next shot 11 feet away from the hole, Rahm nailed his putt to make par.
The move was pivotal for Rahm, keeping him without a bogey on Saturday as he continues to try to climb his way back up the leaderboards.
He still has a ways to go, however, tied for 47th on the leaderboard at 1-over through 14 holes in the third round.
Rickie Fowler currently leads at 10-under and teed off later in the afternoon.
If Rahm needed a turning point, perhaps his clever maneuverings can provide it.
