The combination was perfect at the TPC Louisiana.
Raucous 24-year-old Rahm-bo and Relaxed 42-year-old Ryan — as in Jon Rahm and Ryan Palmer — were exactly that.
It was basically no contest on Sunday at the poster event for slow play — the two-man team Zurich Classic. It was no contest because Rahm and Palmer pulled away early from overnight co-leaders Scott Stallings and Trey Mullinax and then buried the competition with three back nine birdies in the all-to-difficult alternate shot format.
The final tally was a spectacular 26-under par with a three-under Sunday effort. Rahm and Palmer were three ahead of two European Ryder Cuppers — Sergio Garcia and Tommy Fleetwood. Sergio and Tommy put up a 68 coming home and finished solo second at 23-under par.
The win was a huge one for Palmer, who hasn’t tasted victory in nine years. Wins come often for Rahm, not often for Palmer. Palmer took time away from the tour when wife Jennifer battled cancer then faced his own battles with a deteriorating golf game. But it all came together nicely for the first-time team. Rahm previously played with Wesley Bryan, Palmer with Jordan Spieth. With Bryan and Spieth not playing, Rahm and Palmer formed an unlikely team. It was a good one for both. Last year both Rahm and Palmer missed the 36-hole cut with partners Bryan and Spieth.
This year Rahm and Palmer shot two 64s in the best-ball formats on Thursday and Saturday and made their winning moves in the nasty alternate shot with rounds of 65 on Friday then 69 over the final 18 holes.
“Our games are so good together because we both drive the ball so well,” Rahm said earlier in the week. “And when our iron play is on, knowing how good he (Palmer) can putt and when I get the putter rolling, we’re going to make a lot of birdies in both formats.” Rahm’s word proved prophetic.
As for next year, looks like Spieth and Bryan are out of luck. Said Rahm: ”I can say to Jordan and Wesley: ‘Sorry, we already have a partner for next year.”’
This event was plagued by rain on Thursday when only 13 teams managed to finish. They spent the rest of Friday and Saturday morning playing catch-up but things finally got back on track for Sunday’s finale.
A lot of high-profile teams couldn’t survive the format. Jason Day and Adam Scott, pre-tournament favorites — missed the 36-hole cut as did Tony Finau and Kyle Stanley, Louie Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel and the Patricks — Reed and Cantlay.
