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Why Jon Rahm is under more pressure than Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau in the final round at the PGA Championship

Jon Rahm with insets of Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau
Credit: Andrew Redington/Alex Slitz/Jared C. Tilton via Getty Images
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Jon Rahm played himself into contention in round three at the PGA Championship on Saturday.

The Spaniard shot an impressive four-under-par 67 to get to within five shots of the lead after 54 holes.

He’s now in a decent position to win the third major championship of his career, and he’s under immense pressure to do it.

Here’s why Rahm needs this victory more than fellow leading contenders Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau.

Hero Dubai Desert Classic - Day One
Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Jon Rahm needs PGA Championship victory more than Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau

Rahm made the controversial decision to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf in December 2023.

He received so much criticism, especially because he had previously dismissed the possibility of joining the rival tour.

The 30-year-old has won several times on LIV and even achieved the individual title last season, but he’s still not won over his critics.

That’s because Rahm’s disappointing form in the major championships last year cast doubt over whether the move hindered his chances of winning the biggest events.

He scraped a T7 finish at the Open Championship, came T45th at The Masters, and missed the cut at the PGA Championship.

A fierce competitor and golf historian, Rahm isn’t purely money-motivated and wants to be remembered as an all-time great. In that case, major results affect his legacy.

Well, the final round at the PGA Championship allows him to silence the doubters and vindicate his move to LIV.

That’s why it matters more to him than most, including world number one Scheffler and US Open champion DeChambeau.

2025 PGA Championship - Round Three
Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

Jon Rahm can take huge step towards golfing immortality with PGA Championship win

Rahm already has The Masters and the US Open on his CV, so the PGA Championship would leave him with just one to win.

If the Spaniard were to lift the trophy at Quail Hollow on Sunday, he would head into the Open Championship at Royal Portrush with a chance to make history.

So much was made of Rory McIlroy’s career Grand Slam achievement at Augusta National in April, and Rahm could emulate him within months.

There’s also the added piece of history that no Spanish player, not even Seve Ballesteros, has won three different majors, let alone all four.