Rahm uses mature approach to tough conditions

With a mature approach to facing tough conditions in a major, Jon Rahm finds himself within striking distance entering his first Masters Tournament weekend.

Rahm shot 2-under-par 70 in the second round Friday to sit just a few strokes off the lead with two rounds left.

The young Spaniard entered the week hot with a win and four top-five finishes in his past six events, but he didn’t let that hot streak turn into risky choices over two days of gusty winds at Augusta National Golf Club.

“Obviously, it is a major championship, you are going to get nervous,” Rahm said. “It was windy yesterday and today, but like yesterday and today, you just have to fight hard and be mentally tough.”

Rahm used No. 11 as an example of his style of play over the first two days.

With the pin tucked behind the water on the left, he aimed for the right side of the green and let a combination of wind and draw carry it to the middle of the green. He drained a 16-foot putt for the field’s lone birdie on the hole Friday.

The same applied to No. 6, where he aimed left and let the wind push his ball to the back-right pin location, settling seven feet from the hole. He missed the birdie putt.

Rahm took advantage of par-5s with three birdies, including nearly holing his third shot from 47 yards on No. 8. He played steady golf on par-4s, missing several birdie putts, and a double bogey on No. 10 was his lone setback.

“I was going to be able to shoot an under-par round, and that’s what I did,” he said. “Had I made a couple putts, it could have been a lot different. But I’m really pleased with the round I played today.”

Reach David Lee at (706) 823-3216 or david.lee@augustachronicle.com.