Jon Rahm blames Super Bowl winner Zach Ertz for a dismal four-putt start at The Masters after getting a text that read ‘first green looks like a walk in the park’ — but NFL star has no regrets and jokes that he will send similar messages ‘moving forward’
Masters champ Jon Rahm has shed light on the text message he received just before his terrible start to the tournament, blaming NFL star Zach Ertz for his four-putt.
The Spaniard could afford to make light of the situation after claiming the Green Jacket for the first time on Sunday following a four-shot win at Augusta National.
Rahm got off to a dismal start to the first major of the year when he opened with a four-putt.
In his speech after receiving the famous Green Jacket, the 28-year-old recalled a message he received before turning down on day one.
“For those people who believe in cursing other players, people or whatever it may be, Thursday morning when I got on my golf cart to go to this putting green. Ten minutes before my start time I saw a text message from a good friend of mine’, the now two-time grand winner began.
Jon Rahm (L) remembered the text message he received from friend and NFL star Zach Ertz (R)
Text said ‘first green looks like a walk in the park’ before Rahm four-putted on opening day
Ertz said he has no regrets about the text and joked about sending similar messages ‘in the future’
“I call him because he’s a Super Bowl-winning champ — Zach Ertz — he texted, ‘That first green looks like a walk in the park’ 10 minutes before I kicked off the tournament.”
Rahm laughed as did those in attendance before his crowning achievement on Sunday.
“So thank you Zach, please don’t ever do that again,” Rahm added.
Ertz, who won Super Bowl LII in 2018 with the Philadelphia Eagles, saw the story and responded on Twitter.
In response to a fragment of Rahm’s speech, Ertz wrote, “My apologies for absolutely nothing!
“You can expect these lyrics in every major in the future, my friend!
‘Congratulations!’
Another of Rahm’s friends and recently retired NFL star JJ Watt shared screenshots of the posts in their group chat as he and Ertz joked about the golfer’s start at the 2023 Masters.
Another of Rahm’s friends and recently retired NFL star JJ Watt shared screenshots of lyrics
In just a conversation between Ertz and Watt, the pair saw the funny side of Rahm’s bad start
Spaniard Rahm is the 2023 Masters champion after winning the tournament by four shots
Alongside the photos of the posts, Watt wrote, “Can confirm. I think this means you deserve a Green Jacket @ZERTZ_86.”
Ertz sent, “Let’s have a day Jon!! Start fast!! while Watt added: ‘Let’s go Jon!!! Pretend you’re playing with Zach and me. You set the course record.’
Then Ertz replied, “First hole green looks like a walk in the park.”
In just one conversation between Ertz and Watt, the former said, “Four putts to start the round…not ideal.
Watt replied, “Terrible. I said pretend you’re playing WITH us, not LIKE us.’
Rahm left the terrible start to usurp Brooks Koepka and claim the Major in Georgia.
He became the first European Masters champion in six years with a score of 12 under par.
Rahm dedicated his Masters win to Spanish legend Seve Ballesteros on what would have been his 66th birthday.
The 28-year-old celebrates on the 18th green after winning the second major of his career
Rahm and wife Kelley pose with the famous Masters trophy after the Spaniard’s victory