Jon Rahm during day four at The Open. | Photo by Zac Goodwin/Getty Images
Jon Rahm finally played like himself in the year’s final major, posting his best finish of the season at The Open Championship.
Jon Rahm came out red hot on Sunday at The Open Championship, making four birdies over his first seven holes to soar up the leaderboard.
But Royal Troon’s closing stretch cooled him down, as he posted a 3-under 68 to finish at 1-under overall. Yet, he ultimately tied for seventh, marking his best major finish of the season. At the Masters, Rahm tied for 45th and questioned the conditions. He missed the cut at the PGA Championship and withdrew from the U.S. Open after a toe infection.
The two-time major winner struggled at the start of the week but bounced back to finish on a high note. But it could have been better if he had more success on the par-5s. He played the par-5s at even par in his 10 major rounds this season.
“Well, Augusta, in the wind conditions, those par-5s are not easy,” Rahm said after his round on Sunday.
“PGA, I played two rounds and played terrible. The same applies to this week. Even when I had a chance, I didn’t make the putts. I had about three or four putts inside 10 feet and didn’t make either of them. Then, on Friday, I hit it in the water off the tee on 16. I don’t think there’s anything specific. You can argue about a couple of bad decisions off the tee, but it’s mainly the wrong swing at the wrong time, not making the putts, or just unfortunate situations. That’s all.”
Rahm began the week with a 2-over 73 but bounced back with a 1-under 70 on Saturday. He then signed for a 1-over 72 during his third round amid the harsh conditions.
Rahm ultimately could not get the putts to drop when he needed to make them, but he still posted his best score of the week and in the majors this season.
“Played good, just didn’t strike those iron shots good enough to give myself good birdie looks, Rahm said.
“I had a lot of long putts for birdie, and then the few closer ones that I had I didn’t make. But I did make two lengthy par putts on the last two holes, so it all evens out.”
Rahm may not have met the expectations he set for himself, but it is hard to say the 2023 Masters champion did not work hard to get here and contend.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.
