Rahm Confident in His Game as He Eyes Third Major Title at Royal Birkdale
Jon Rahm in a really good – Jon Rahm remains convinced that his current form positions him well to capture another championship, even as he acknowledges that some observers tend to downplay his accomplishments since joining LIV Golf. The Spanish golfer, who has already secured two major victories in his career, believes his performance levels justify expectations of further success on the grandest stages of golf.
Recent Performance Review
Looking ahead to The Open Championship, Rahm has been candid about his results in the year’s other premier tournaments. While he recognizes that his overall showing has not been entirely satisfactory, he points to his joint-second-place finish at the US PGA Championship in May as evidence that he can compete at the highest level. His campaign on the LIV Tour has been particularly encouraging, featuring two victories, four runner-up finishes, and two additional top-eight placements across nine events.
“I don’t feel like I’ve been in that much of a dip – perhaps in some major championships – and perhaps because I’ve been playing on LIV people want to diminish how I’ve been playing and what I’ve been accomplishing,” Rahm explained to the Press Association.
The golfer emphasized that personal perception of one’s game does not always align perfectly with competitive results. He described his current position as being in a “really good spot,” noting that the adjustments and improvements he has implemented require time to fully manifest during tournament play.
Building Momentum
Rahm’s confidence appears well-founded given his recent performances. His 36th-place finish at the Scottish Open last week demonstrated comfort and control, with the Spaniard noting that his swing mechanics have improved significantly compared to previous seasons. He expressed belief that his game is sufficiently strong to claim victory, attributing any remaining challenges to the need for greater discipline and smarter course management.
“I feel like it’s in a really good spot; I’ve worked on changes and improvements and sometimes when you put it in competition it takes time to feel good. But it was good last week (finishing 36th at the Scottish Open), it was comfortable and I made some swings which were way better than in the past.”
A Competitive Landscape
Rahm’s most recent major triumph came at the 2023 Masters Tournament, marking the beginning of a trend where multiple major winners have claimed ten of the last fifteen championships. The current field includes world number one Scottie Scheffler, who has accumulated three major titles, alongside Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Bryson DeChambeau, and US Open champion Wyndham Clark, each with two victories to their names.
“As people we are evolving and our competitors are getting better as well. Everyone elevates each other, all of us want to be the best, and to be the best you have to beat everyone else and that is why it is so difficult to stay at the top for long.”
The Spanish star acknowledged that maintaining dominance requires more than raw talent. He drew comparisons to golfing legends such as Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, Jack Nicklaus, and current contenders like Scheffler and McIlroy, suggesting that longevity at the pinnacle of the sport reflects extraordinary capability beyond mere skill.
“It is always difficult to win a major, it doesn’t really matter who is out there winning a major. If you have to go out there against someone who has won one before and is playing really good golf it might be a bit more difficult but it’s a mountain to climb no matter what.”
As Rahm prepares for Royal Birkdale, he has also engaged with fans through Callaway Golf Europe’s “Monday Night Live” event at the Callaway Clubhouse, where he discussed his enthusiasm for The Open Championship and shared insights about his preferred halfway hut snacks. The combination of improved mechanics, consistent results, and mental readiness suggests that the two-time major champion is positioning himself for another potential breakthrough on golf’s most historic courses.
