There was a moment on Sunday as the rain was smashing down at Oakmont where it seemed entirely possible that Jon Rahm was actually in contention to win the US Open as the leaders moved closer and closer to his score.
Few would have given Jon Rahm any hope of victory at the US Open ahead of the last round. The Spaniard was seven over par for the tournament and 11 shots behind Sam Burns.
The leaders had a torrid time in the difficult conditions. It turns out that Oakmont can indeed become even more difficult than it had been for much of the first three days.
That helped Rahm move further up the leaderboard. And he would ultimately finish in a tie for 7th alongside Scottie Scheffler and Burns. But the LIV Golf star certainly played his part with a 67 in the final round.
Jon Rahm suggests what was ‘crazy’ about his final round at the US Open
It was the best round of the day, with Rory McIlroy also posting a 67. And it seems to have left the 2021 champion a little baffled.
Speaking after his round, Rahm suggested that he did not exactly seem to be playing considerably better than he had done over the previous three days.
“It’s crazy because it doesn’t feel like I played that different to every other round. Two keys: Number one would be I kept it in play off the tee. I’m trying to go through the round. For the most part, I was in the fairway or the first cut most of the entire day. I think the first time I was not in one of those was the 14th, and luckily I was close enough to the green to fix that,” he said.
“Then my lag putting. I had the speed really dialed in today. I felt like I was very comfortable, if you can be at Oakmont, with speeds, and it showed. Every long putt I had was nothing but a kick-in and didn’t have to stress for it. That helps a lot. And obviously making the bonus one on 16, right.
“I think those two keys are what made today possible.”
An important moment for Jon Rahm in the majors following his move to LIV Golf
Rahm can take plenty of positives from his week. It is yet another top 10 this year, with The Masters being the only event where he has finished outside – he finished tied for 14th at Augusta National.
Obviously, the PGA Championship was probably more significant because he was level with Scottie Scheffler at one stage on Sunday at Quail Hollow. But his US Open result should give him even more confidence.
It is the first time since he joined LIV that he has registered two top 10s in the majors in a row.
And it would be no surprise to see him extend that run when The Open Championship heads to Royal Portrush next month.
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