Jon Rahm jokes Super Bowl winner Zach Ertz JINXED him before four-putt start at Augusta with text saying ‘first green looks a walk in the park’ – but NFL star insists he’s NOT sorry after Masters win!
Masters champion Jon Rahm has shed light on the text message he received just before his terrible start at the tournament as he blamed 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 following a four-shot victory at Augusta National on Sunday.
Rahm made a woeful start to the first major the year as he opened with a four-putt.
In his speech after receiving the famous Green Jacket, the 28-year-old recalled a message he received ahead of teeing off on day one.
‘For those people who believe in jinxing other players, people or whatever it may be, Thursday morning when I was getting on my golf cart to get to this putting green. Ten minutes before my tee time I saw a text from a good friend of mine,’ the now two-time major winner began.
Jon Rahm (L) recalled 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’s not sorry for the text and joked about sending similar messages ‘going forward’
‘I’m gonna name him because he is a Super Bowl winning champion – Zach Ertz – he sent the text: “That first green looking like a walk in the park” 10 minutes before I four-putted the start of the tournament.’
Rahm laughed as did those in attendance for his crowning moment on Sunday.
‘So, thank you Zach, don’t ever do that again please,’ Rahm added.
Ertz, who won Super Bowl LII with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018, saw the tale and responded on Twitter.
In reaction to a clip of Rahm’s speech, Ertz wrote: ‘I apologize for absolutely nothing!
‘You can expect these texts every major going forward my friend!
‘Congratulations!’
Another friend of Rahm’s and recently-retired NFL star J.J. Watt shared screenshots of the messages in their group chat as he and Ertz joked about the golfer’s start to the 2023 Masters.
Another friend of Rahm’s and recently-retired NFL star J.J. Watt shared screenshots of texts
In just a conversation between Ertz and Watt, the pair saw the funny side of Rahm’s poor start
Spaniard Rahm is the 2023 Masters champion after winning the tournament by four shots
Alongside the photos of the messages, 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 I. You’ll set the course record.’
Then Ertz replied: ‘First hole green looks like a walk in the park.’
In just a conversation between Ertz and Watt, the former said: ‘Four putt to start the round… not ideal.
Watt replied: ‘Horrendous. I said pretend you’re playing WITH us, not playing LIKE us.’
Rahm put the terrible start behind him 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 victory 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 following the Spaniard’s victory