Forward of this week’s Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters in Southern Spain, Jon Rahm revealed that he has an open spot on his LIV Golf staff, Legion XIII.
“I nonetheless don’t have a participant who’s already signed, however we’ve got six or seven in thoughts,” Rahm mentioned in an interview with Golf Sin Etiquetas, which was carried out in Spanish.
“Two or three are on this match.”
A kind of gamers is Angel Hidalgo, the 26-year-old Spainard who defeated Rahm in a playoff a number of weeks in the past on the Spanish Open. Hidalgo performs with loads of aptitude and has great potential. He’s additionally a Callaway participant, which is important for Rahm. Per his interview, the two-time main winner needs to signal Callaway gamers. The purpose is to accomplice the model with Legion XIII ultimately.
Jorge Campillo is one other Callaway participant from Spain, thus becoming the billing for Rahm and his staff.
Thus far this week, Campillo has made fairly an impression. He’s 15-under by the primary 36 holes and holds a four-shot lead on the halfway level. Daniel Brown, who rose to worldwide fame at The Open because of his easy-going demeanor and Charley Hull-like impression, sits in solo second.
“I’m feeling good and though I’ve performed numerous occasions, I really feel like I’m enjoying higher just lately, and I simply love enjoying golf,” Campillo mentioned after Friday’s spherical.
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“I don’t really feel too drained, and capturing 15 underneath over 36 holes doesn’t really feel tiring for me.”
This week marks Campillo’s ninth straight occasion, echoing what Tom Kim did on the PGA Tour earlier this 12 months. He has performed in each DP World Tour occasion since late August, together with his finest end coming on the Betfried British Masters, the place he tied for sixth. He additionally recorded top-20s on the Spanish Open in Madrid and the Alfred Dunhill Hyperlinks Championship at St. Andrews.
However nothing has in comparison with this week, the place he opened with an 8-under 64 and a 7-under 65 to seize management. He started the day two strokes again of the lead, in a tie for third, however an early par-save on the opening gap, the tenth, set the tone. Campillo then catapulted into the lead on the 354-yard par-4 eleventh, the place he holed out for eagle from 36 yards wanting the inexperienced.
“It was a tricky pitch shot, however that’s the most effective a part of my sport,” Campillo mentioned.
“I hit it completely, and it went within the gap, which was good.”
The 38-year-old Campillo, who hails from Caceres, Spain, a couple of four-drive north of Sotogrande in Andalucia, went on to make 5 extra birdies. No bogies have blemished his scorecard by 36 holes, both. However he is aware of that numerous golf stays.
“I’ve been placing the ball in play off the tee, hitting my irons nice, after which making the brief putts,” Campillo added.
“Final 12 months on the KLM [Open], I used to be on this place after 36 holes and ended up ending twenty ninth, so I do know there’s numerous golf left to play, and I don’t know what’s going to occur over the weekend.”
Rahm is actually not out of it, both. The 2021 U.S. Open champion carded a 6-under 66 on Friday to soar up the leaderboard to 8-under general. He presently sits in a tie for sixth, seven strokes again of Campillo.
“It was a very good spherical of golf. I used to be stable off the tee and gave myself numerous possibilities, and my iron sport was nice,” Rahm mentioned of his second spherical.
“I hit two approaches to tap-ins, and my ball placing was good, which is what you want in windy situations. I rolled in a few good putts, and it was a disgrace to drop a shot on the final gap. I have to preserve making birdies tomorrow, and it’s a must to go low right here whether or not it’s windy or not. Hopefully, I can repeat at present’s spherical and perhaps go even decrease.”
Irrespective of how low Rahm goes over the weekend, he must be impressed with Campillo’s play. And if Campillo can preserve the pedal to the medal, maybe he’ll discover himself as a member of Legion XIII firstly of the 2025 LIV Golf season.
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By way of. Remember to take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.
