'Number 1' Ram "Autumn Series Deployment"... What About the K Corps?

2021/2022 Season Opening Fortinet Championship 'Ryder Cup Warm-up', Matsuyama Joins, 'Rookie of the Year' Zeller-Toris Dark Horse

World No. 1 Jon Rahm will compete in the Fortinet Championship, the opening event of the PGA Tour 2021/2022 season.

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "Ryder Cup warm-up."

World No. 1 Jon Rahm (Spain) will compete on the night of the 16th (Korean time) at the Fortinet Championship (total prize money $7 million), a PGA Tour event opening at Silverado Golf Course in Napa, California (par 72, 7,123 yards). This tournament marks the opening event of the 2021/2022 season, the so-called ‘fall series.’ It is unusual as world stars usually enjoy their holidays until the end of the year. Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) will accompany him.

Rahm chose this ‘mock test’ to prepare for next week’s intercontinental golf competition, the Ryder Cup between the United States and Europe. Naturally, he is the ‘top favorite to win.’ In June, he made history as the first Spanish player to win the US Open, America’s national title, showcasing his ‘No. 1 power’ to the world. He also demonstrated incredible strength by finishing in the top 10 fifteen times in 22 tournaments, including two second-place and two third-place finishes. This directly led to his No. 1 ranking in prize money ($7.71 million) and scoring average (69.30 strokes).

In his last five tournaments, he has been in the top 3 four times, including one victory. The runner-up finish at the Tour Championship, the final third playoff event that ended on the 6th, was somewhat disappointing. Starting as the 4th seed (6 under par), he posted the best score of 14 under par over four days but could not overcome Patrick Cantlay (USA), the ‘No. 1 seed (10 under par).’ Rahm himself said, "It’s strange not to have won when I received a $5 million bonus."

Siwoo Kim is aiming for the 'early bird' at the Fortinet Championship, the opening event of the PGA Tour 2021/2022 season.

Experts have identified Will Zalatoris (USA) as a dark horse. He earned temporary membership by finishing in the top 10 three times in four early 2020/2021 season events and won Rookie of the Year after eight top 10 finishes, including runner-up at the Masters last April. It is the first time in 20 years since Charles Howell III (USA) in 2001 that a temporary member has won the rookie award. The Korean contingent, including Kim Si-woo (26), Kang Sung-hoon (34, both CJ Logistics), and Noh Seung-yul (30), are aiming for an ‘early bird’ finish.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.