What are the obligations of wearing the Augusta green jacket?

Jon Rahm took off his visor and waved it on his way to green 18 August Masters to thank the thousands of fans who waited to pay their respects to him and who supported him throughout the tour. When he struck out and with that shot officially confirmed the tournament that he already had several holes in his pocket, he looked excitedly at the sky, released his adrenaline and looked for his family to share a moment of history with them.

He won the Masters, the second Grand after the US Open in 2021, and became part of the select club. His father Edorta, his wife Kelley and his two sons Kepa and Eneko came with him and were part of a moment he will remember forever. After that, you had to show up in the clubhouse to sign the card that made him a legend.

On his way to the headquarters of Augusta National, he ran into José María Olazabal, winner of the tournament in 1994 and 1999. It was a very emotional meeting. Wrapped in his green jacket, the man from Hondarribia, who played the first two days of this edition and had no chance of placing, merged in a big hug with the man from Barrica and kept congratulating him, as if he felt the victory as your own.

The scene symbolized the transfer of values ​​between the two generations that have taken golf to the top with no fewer than six victories at this Georgia shrine. The Gipuzkoan has already faced the world number one on the training ground and has openly told him that he sees him in excellent condition to lift the trophy. In fact, he decided to stay until Sunday in case Rahm came after him.

Later, after being high-fived by hundreds of congratulatory fans on the other side of the ropes that protect the players, Biscay disappeared into the tide of members of one of the most exclusive entities in the United States. The liturgy of the champions began and there was no more room for improvisation. First up was a visit to the TV rights chain and a photo shoot in a small office where you can see Scottie Scheffler donning the green jacket of one of his main competitors on the field.

A few minutes later this gesture will be repeated, but with more pomp near the symbolic 18th hole, this time with the presence of all patrons and relatives of the winner. “Aita, thank God you came, if you don’t, ughfff, I don’t know,” Jon said to his father from the phone.

Duties of a champion

The green jacket It is wool and polyester and it was made in a tailor shop in Ohio, while buttons are made in Massachusetts. The coat of arms is from North Carolina. In true Augusta fashion, there are also rules golfers who receive it must follow. Some broke protocol and took them home when they realized it belonged to them, but the club’s rules dictate that they do they can enjoy only twelve months and cannot be used in public events. Then you have to return it. To avoid this type of problem, the Augusta rectors approved the creation of replica garments so that players could have them forever as a symbol of their success at the Masters. The one they put on Rahma fit him perfectly. It was previously worn by Ballesteros, Olazabal and Sergio García.

He was charmin Fred Riley was in charge of directing the ceremony where Rahm was also presented with the trophy marking him as the winner, followed by a meal with the partners. It’s a small replica of the intimidating Southern-style clubhouse that sits on the course next to a hundred-year-old oak tree that overlooks almost the entire course. As the new champion, Rahm earned the right to play in the tournament for life. But you also have obligations. Next year, he has to host the traditional champions’ dinner, which takes place before the tournament. And, as he told the media, his idea is for the players to try some dishes from the Basque cookbook. “Chef José Andrés will be giving me tabarra all year, I hope he will help me,” he said sarcastically.