Jon Rahm’s Takeover of the Golf World
At the 2016 US Open, Jon Rahm stormed onto the golf world, finishing in a tie for 23rd at Oakmont Country Club.
Consider that nearly 9,000 professionals and amateurs attempt to qualify for the US Open and Rahm’s accomplishment of a top 25 finish is even more admirable.
Need more convincing?
He wasn’t even a professional at the time, but the then-21-year-old amateur firmly put himself on the map, which prompted him to turn professional shortly thereafter.
Last season’s impressive performance at the US Open allowed Rahm to finish higher than seasoned professionals like Jordan Spieth and Bubba Watson, two former Masters’ winners.
Fast forward to the 2017 US Open and Rahm is one of the fastest rising stars in modern sports.
Now a full fledged golf professional and one year older, Rahm is ranked 10th on the PGA Tour.
He sits just below some of the biggest names in professional golf: Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia, and could pass all three very soon.
Rahm’s meteoric rise has seen him go from being an amateur golfer and student at Arizona State University to earning nearly $5.5 million as professional in just one year.
In the space of 12 months, he has finished in the top 10 of PGA tournaments 11 times, including three second place finishes, and a first place finish at the Farmers Insurance Open in early 2017.
As the US Open gets set to tee off on June 15th, many are predicting the Spaniard to win the famed competition.
While nine other players rank better than Rahm in the PGA Tour’s standings, none have shown the consistent quality that has made Rahm a fan favorite and hot topic of the sports media.
Rahm’s drive from the tee is second to none on the PGA Tour, and they are the drives that golf colleges teach students to make.
The Spaniard has a 321-yard average tee shot, and those long drives set up his short game perfectly.
His game isn’t just about tee shots, however.
Rahm’s all-around ability on the course is what keeps golf experts drooling over him.
Rahm’s final hole performance at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines was a textbook lesson in how the 22-year-old plays: long direct drive and quick short game.
Leading by one shot on the 18th hole, Rahm reached the green on two shots before draining a putt from 60 feet. It was a putt of absolute beauty and one that golfers dream of recreating in their golf career.
Many golf experts believe Rahm has a lot to improve on to be a well-rounded golfer.
Although he has a good all-around game, his putting and shots just off the green need work.
It is his drive, however, that sets him up so perfectly, and thus far it has helped him limit mistakes as he approaches the hole.
There are others that would argue Rahm is doing just fine the way he is playing, and they will point to when he holed out for eagle from 135-yards at the 2016 US Open.
He did that on what has been ranked as the third most difficult US Open course – Oakmont.
Not bad for a guy that wasn’t even a professional at the time of the tournament.
If Rahm is anything, it is adaptable, and his ability to learn the English language is proof of that.
The Spaniard moved to the United States to attend college.
Yet, he knew little to no English upon arrival.
He quickly learned from a mix of songs, media and a Spanish speaking teammate on the university’s golf team.
His crash course enabled him to earn a B average in his first semester after it first appeared he would drop out.
His ability to stick with college on the other side of the world and learn a new language, shows he can adapt his game on the golf course.
Rahm is now one of the most talked about golfers in the world today, and one of the most popular in a sport of individuals.
His performances have made him a popular figure, and one that continues to ascend the PGA Tour rankings with every tournament that passes.
If you’re ready to make your mark in the golf industry, contact Keiser University’s College of Golf today.
