It was Jon Rahm who flew the flag for LIV Golf at The Open Championship 12 months ago, with the Spaniard the one player from the league who finished inside the top 10 at Royal Troon.
The Open Championship allowed Jon Rahm the opportunity to end a pretty miserable major championship season on something of a high in 2024. Rahm produced a superb final round to end up in a tie for seventh in South Ayrshire.
He has been significantly better in the majors this year. The 30-year-old’s worst result came at The Masters when he finished tied for 14th. He followed that with top 10s at the PGA Championship and the US Open.
He actually finished lower at Quail Hollow than he did at Oakmont. But it must not be forgotten that no one pushed Scottie Scheffler harder at the second major of the year than Rahm, who was tied for the lead around the turn.
The comments Jon Rahm made this year which show why he is a favourite to win The Open Championship
Ultimately, a poor finish put paid to Rahm’s chances of victory. But he was able to see the positive side in the hours after the final round in Charlotte.
“God, it’s been a while since I had that much fun on a golf course, 15 holes. Even the first seven the day where I was swinging well and things weren’t happening, but I kept myself in and made the pars that I needed and played really good golf from the 8th to the 15th,” he said.
It was a great sign to see Rahm in the mix. And some appear to be optimistic that he will be in contention in the coming days at Royal Portrush.
Speaking on Golf Channel, Arron Oberholser suggested that Rahm’s comments after the PGA Championship really stuck out to him as a sign that he is in a fantastic place.
“I still believe that he is going to win the Career Grand Slam, I do. He’s got that kind of game. And he is so perfectly suited for this golf course and this type of golf, in my opinion,” he said.
“But I think that one of the reasons that he’s had this turnaround is because of that acceptance of where he is right now and he’s starting to have more fun, it seems like, on the golf course. He’s starting to enjoy playing. And a guy in his position who’s won two majors, and in the fashion that he won them both in, you would think that after the PGA Championship, he would have been mad because of the way he performed – and sure, he was a little upset – but the way he talked about it, I’ve never heard a player in his position talk about it, and that’s what gives me a good vibe this week. And I think he’s at the top of my list in terms of favourites.”
How Jon Rahm has performed in The Open Championship during his career
Rahm’s record in The Open Championship has improved over the years. He had not finished higher than 44th in any of his first three appearances at the event.
He did finish one shot away from the top 10 the last time The Open was played at Royal Portrush. Meanwhile, he registered top three finishes in both 2021 and 2023.
The PGA Championship and The Open have been the majors where Rahm has performed a little worse throughout his career.
But he is also seeking a third top 10 in a row at the final major of the year this week. Clearly, some think that his sights will be set even higher than just a top 10.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
