Jon Rahm conquers ‘Carnoustie’ thanks to unconventional advice from fellow LIV golf star

Carnoustie is one of the most challenging courses In Scotland, let alone the world. This explains why so many people colloquially call it “Carnoustie”, as this links course can create a hellish experience for any player on any given day.

Ask anyone who has competed in open championship at Carnoustie, which has hosted golf’s oldest major eight times.

But many of the top players return to this course every year for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the famous DP World Tour Pro-Am which takes place at Carnoustie, The Old Course at St. Andrewsand Kingsbarns in Scotland. Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, Shane Lowry and Billy Horschel are in this year’s field. As are LIV golf greats Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm, the latter of whom made a strong start at Carnoustie on Thursday.

fresh from a tough Defeated by Angel Hidalgo in Spanish Open In Madrid, Rahm shot 7-under 65 at Carnoustie, matching the lowest score recorded there on Thursday. He has a commanding lead over the rest of the field, even though he is still four behind 49-year-old South African Darren Fichardt, who had scored 61 at Kingsburn after the first day. But regardless of the conditions, a sub-70 score at Carnoustie is cause for celebration. Most players will struggle on this course, which revolves around the famous Barry Burn. Yes, Rahm’s 65 is more impressive.

And yet, Rahm played well for two reasons: a hot putter and unconventional advice from fellow LIV golfer Tyrell Hatton, who has won Dunhill Links twice. Interestingly, Hatton also scored 65 at Carnoustie on Thursday.

Rahm explained, “In Tyrrell’s words, just hit driver over every bunker and take it to the green.”

Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images

“That’s basically what I did – missed in all the right places. My first fairway on the front nine was the 17th, and I was 3-under, right? This is something you can do when it is not an Open Championship setup. The rough is a little low, so you can be aggressive and hit short irons into the green, and that’s what I did today.

Ironically, the only bogey on Rahm’s card came on the par-4 17th, where he found his first fairway of the day. He then avoided that mistake with birdie on the last, par-4 18th hole, the same hole where Jean Van de Velde made the most famous triple bogey in golf history at the 1999 Open Championship.

Rahm then made four more birdies on the front nine, his second nine of the day.

“On the front nine, it was better off the tee,” Rahm said.

“I found myself in a fair position most of the time and was able to be aggressive.”

Of course, the flat stick must cooperate to post a good score on the famous Carnoustie Links.

“My putting was really good today. I hit it well. Felt comfortable there,” Rahm said.

“But the number of putts I hit from 15 to 20 feet is more than average today. That’s what it takes to post scores on a golf course like Carnoustie. Hopefully I will continue playing like this for the next few days.”

Should he continue to play like he did on Thursday at St. Andrews and Kingsbarns, Rahm may run and hide. The most challenging path lies ahead of him, and it’s all downhill from here.

Jack Milko is the golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. please check @_PlayingThrough For more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko Too.