Jon Rahm’s quest for a third major championship ended in disappointment after a late collapse at Quail Hollow. The Spanish golfer, who had been in contention midway through Sunday’s final round, experienced a stunning reversal in just the last few holes of the PGA Championship.
After making three birdies over the first 11 holes, Rahm was tied for the lead with only nine holes to play. However, he then encountered a difficult stretch:
- Bogey on the 16th hole
- Double bogeys on both the 17th and 18th holes
This three-hole run cost Rahm five strokes, dropping him from the top of the leaderboard to a tie for eighth place, ultimately finishing seven shots behind the winner, Scottie Scheffler. Cameras showed Rahm, visibly shaken, seeking solace in a long embrace with his wife, Kelley, off the 18th green. The emotional moment highlighted just how much the loss weighed on the champion golfer, who is also a father of three.
In his post-round interview, Rahm reflected:
“The last three holes, it’s a tough pill to swallow right now… Pretty fresh wound right now.”
This marks the first time Rahm has not converted a Sunday major lead into a victory, putting an asterisk on an otherwise impeccable record. In acknowledging the pain of this finish, Rahm was candid:
“It’s the first time I’ve been in position to win a major that close and haven’t done it… It’s a very different situation.”
Still, Rahm recognized the importance of perspective:
“I’m embarrassed a little bit about how I finished today, but… it’s not the end of the world. It’s not like I’m a doctor or first responder—somebody where if they have a bad day, truly bad things happen. So I’ll get over it, I’ll move on.”
Rahm credited the unwavering support of his family for helping him look beyond the disappointment:
- “To them, whatever I did today—win or lose—they don’t care. That’s always a good perspective,” he reflected.
Looking ahead, the question for golf fans is whether Rahm’s heartbreak will result in a powerful comeback at the U.S. Open. Rahm remains optimistic:
“I’m really happy I put myself in position, and hopefully I’ll learn from this and give it another go in the U.S. Open… It’s been a while since I had that much fun on a golf course.”
As golf enthusiasts turn their focus to Pinehurst next month, Rahm’s resolve will be tested—even as his journey as a top-level competitor continues.
For more details, read the full article from the Daily Mail.
