Jon Rahm discusses his one-of-a-kind title defense and the possibility of fulfilling a long-held dream at Augusta during Masters 2024.

It’s been nearly a year since Jon Rahm had the opportunity to defend his title – quite an unusual circumstance. To add even more excitement, he will be returning as the current Masters champion for next month’s tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Rahm dedicated considerable time to planning the menu for the Champions Dinner. During his Zoom conference on Tuesday morning, he discussed it at length for a total of eight minutes. Additionally, he has spent some time considering what he will say during his speech in front of all other green jacket owners that evening. However, Rahm had not realized that the 86th Masters Tournament would be unique in another way as well.

Last year, Rahm secured his fourth win on the PGA Tour during the first few months of 2023 by beating Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson with a four-stroke lead. However, he was unable to defend his titles at The Sentry, The American Express and the Genesis Invitational after deciding in December to join LIV Golf League alongside Koepka and Mickelson.

While reminiscing about his unusual feat of winning both the Masters and Mexico Open at Vidanta, with only a two-week gap between them for his second major title defense, Rahm chuckled. This occurred during his last tournament as reigning champion.

“Frankly, it didn’t cross my mind until now,” he admitted. “I focus on my daily routine and current goals, but admittedly I haven’t considered… This could mark the second time I defend a title after winning the Spanish Open – an amazing feat if achieved.”

The fact that the Masters is a major event already sets it apart from other tournaments, so I wouldn’t have been preoccupied with defending previous titles. That’s all in the past and my decision not to defend them was deliberate – one which I am at ease with. However, if given the opportunity to come back and defend this title as well as others, it would be a dream fulfilled – becoming part of an exclusive list of repeat champions would truly be exceptional.

With only a few notable names on it, Rahm hopes to join the exclusive club of golfers who have earned consecutive green jackets – Nicklaus, Faldo and Woods. At 29 years old, he has his sights set high.

Although he affirms that the title defenses from which he was not present occurred in the past, it does not imply that revisiting locations where he has been triumphant did not bring about a sense of nostalgia within him.

Rahm disclosed, “I’ll be honest. While some aspects have been effortless for me, I cannot deny the disappointment of being unable to defend certain titles that hold personal significance.” He confessed to attentively following broadcasts of these competitions and expressed his fondness for Palm Springs where he obtained two victories. In addition, he hailed Riviera Golf Course as a charming location adored by competitors and fans alike; therefore it was challenging not attending this event.

Despite not accumulating World Ranking points in the four LIV events he has participated in this year, Rahm remains ranked third worldwide. He mentioned that his game is progressing favorably and that mentally he feels fantastic while playing less frequently than last year. In preparation for the Masters, he will compete at a LIV event held at Doral in Miami one week before and make an essential trip to Augusta – his first since winning the competition.

Rahm sheepishly admitted, “I plan to go next week for a few days, if it’s alright to say so. I believe it is.” He added that he would be accompanied by a close friend who was already a member and they both planned on playing several rounds of golf while there.

“I believe it would have been extremely challenging to defend my title without having prior experience. To avoid this, I plan on getting as much of the returning sensations and emotions out of my system before Masters week.”

While he is present, one more task on his checklist will be accomplished when he locates his new locker in the Champions Locker Room.

“Seeing where my name will be and with whom I’ll share a locker,” he said, “is probably the next thing on my mind.”

The Masters victory has the power to transform a person’s life, and Rahm can attest to that. Adding to this is his pivotal choice of joining LIV which changed the course of his professional career. As he defends his title at the upcoming Masters tournament, it will be an exceptional experience for him unlike any other.