Jon Rahm has lauded one LIV Golf star and suggested that his ‘absolutely incredible’ achievements in major championships are somewhat reminiscent of Tiger Woods.
Jon Rahm, of course, is now a two-time major champion after winning the 2023 Masters at Augusta National. The Spaniard carded a final round 69 to win by four.
The man who led the way going into the final day was Brooks Koepka. Unfortunately for the American, his challenge faded with a 75 on Sunday.
Jon Rahm lauds Brooks Koepka
Koepka was looking for his fifth major title at the event. But he would not have to wait too long for that crown as he won the USPGA Championship at Oak Hill in May.
It has been a turbulent time for Koepka who had struggled with injuries after his fourth major win in 2019. And when asked about edging the 33-year-old out to clinch the green jacket last year, Rahm told Golf.com that he has nothing but huge respect for Koepka.
“Are you kidding? He’s won how many professional events? 12? Sorry if I’m mistaken, but five of them are majors. I mean, are you kidding? You have to respect the guy. What he’s done is absolutely incredible,” he said.
“Five majors in no time, 2017 until now. This is the only one that you can think maybe in the stretch is somewhat approaching Tiger numbers, which is not easy to come by. So you have to respect it.”
An all-time great
Koepka has won 14 titles across the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and now LIV. Rory McIlroy meanwhile, has 38 titles during his career. Rahm has 20.
So the way Koepka manages to find another gear in the major championships is remarkable.
What is frightening is that he needs to win another 10 to match Tiger Woods’ record. In this era, it is hard to imagine anyone getting anywhere near what Woods managed when he was at the peak of his powers.
Having said that, only 12 players in the history of the game have lifted more major titles than Koepka. So if he can stay injury free for the majority of his career, he could definitely put himself alongside some of the biggest names the game has ever seen.
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