In the relentless setting of Augusta National, where every shot demands almost surgical precision, the balance between calm and accuracy is sacred. However, during the final round of the 2026 Masters, that balance collapsed, and the centre of attention was the legendary Sergio García, under heavy fire due to his explosive behaviour. But, surprisingly, it was not to join the condemnation that Jon Rahm, compatriot and global golf star, spoke out – instead, he chose a measured and revealing defence of the extreme pressure both faced.
“I don’t know. Maybe. I don’t always remember who I’m playing with, especially when things aren’t going well,” Rahm admitted at a press conference when asked about his experience alongside García. “But it was good. Clearly, he wasn’t playing as he would have liked. It wasn’t an easy day for him, and I tried to say something, to encourage him a bit. I felt exactly the same as him in recent days, so I don’t have much more to say.”
What Rahm describes is a Sergio García far from his best form on the decisive day, marked by a disastrous start. After a bogey on Tea Olive, García hit his tee shot on Pink Dogwood into the bushes, losing his composure and angrily breaking his driver at the tee. The destruction didn’t stop there: he also broke the tee itself and a water cooler, in an outburst of frustration that proved costly. Geoff Yang, chairman of the Masters competition committee, quickly intervened, issuing a formal warning at the 4th tee: a second infringement would incur a two-shot penalty, and a third would mean immediate disqualification.
This episode was not new to García, who had previously broken his driver in fury at the 2025 Open Championship, forcing him to play the final round without that essential club. Amidst this drama, an unusual moment of camaraderie arose between the two Spaniards: while Rahm dealt with a bunker, García carried his golf bag along the fairway, adding a touch of levity to the tense atmosphere.
Jon Rahm, two-time major champion and an undisputed figure in current golf, experienced his own storm during the 2026 Masters. After a devastating opening round of 6 over par (78), with four bogeys and a double bogey on one of the most treacherous holes, the Azalea – considered by Phil Mickelson easier for eagle than avoiding errors – Rahm found himself 12 shots behind leaders Sam Burns and Rory McIlroy, a position that completely dashed his hopes.
Despite making the cut with a solid second-day round of 2 under par (70), the third day was again difficult, with a round of 1 over (73), where he accumulated four bogeys and only three birdies. This performance culminated in a personal worst record at the Masters: the worst round ever, surpassing his previous highest score with an initial 78, and for the first time in ten consecutive tournament appearances, Rahm failed to record a single birdie.
With nine previous appearances, including victory in 2023, an average of 71 strokes per round, his best individual result of 65, and total prizes exceeding five and a half million dollars, this 2026 Masters was a tough blow for Rahm. “Augusta is a difficult course, with no swing feeling. It takes Herculean effort to compete here,” he admitted, expressing the frustration he felt, especially after the high confidence from his win at LIV Hong Kong.
This deep understanding of the pressure and difficulties García experienced explains Rahm’s choice to respond with empathy rather than criticism. In an environment where pressure can break even the strongest, Rahm chose to be the voice of understanding, reminding everyone that, at the Masters, it’s not just about shots – it’s about enduring the mental storm imposed by the course.
This human and realistic stance of Jon Rahm not only reveals his greatness as an athlete but also sheds light on the internal battles golfers face away from the spotlight. Sergio García, despite public condemnation for his conduct, found in Rahm a silent ally, demonstrating that, in golf, solidarity can be as crucial as technique in the pursuit of glory at Augusta.
