Five days after wife gives birth, Jon Rahm falls short in playoff in bid to win fourth Spainsh Open

Toward the end of a season marked by both mediocrity and disappointment, Jon Rahm was expected to find his resurgence at the Open de Espana. Fresh off winning the $18 million bonus for securing the LIV Golf League season points title and just five days into fatherhood for the third time, the former U.S. Open and Masters champion entered the final day of the tournament two shots behind the leader, widely regarded as the favorite to claim the title for a fourth time.

But victory eluded him.

In a performance reminiscent of his collapse at the Paris Olympics, where he squandered a four-shot lead midway through the final round, Rahm’s play at Madrid’s Club de Campo was erratic. He delivered a mixture of good, bad, and brilliant shots during his final-round 68, which was enough to tie with fellow Spaniard Angel Hidalgo at 14-under-par 270 over 72 holes.

The playoff between Rahm and Hidalgo lasted two holes. Both players birdied the first hole, but only Hidalgo, a two-time Spanish Amateur champion, managed to birdie again on the second, securing the victory.

“I played a pretty smart game, pretty good game, so yeah, I’m happy,” said Hidalgo, 26, who noted that only a few years ago, he had attended the tournament just to watch Rahm play. “Especially with beating Jon, who is the most important player in the last 20 or 30 years in Spain.”

While Rahm’s star power loomed large, his inconsistent play was his downfall. Wayward tee shots, particularly the one that missed the green on the second playoff hole, proved decisive. Unable to recover, Rahm’s opportunity slipped away.

Throughout a day filled with unpredictability, Rahm recorded eight birdies, but also a costly double bogey. His performance off the tee was notably erratic, even forcing him to hit a provisional ball at one point. Still, flashes of his brilliance were evident, particularly in the birdie-birdie finish that forced the playoff. Yet in the end, his frustration was palpable, although tempered with some pride.

Reflecting on his performance, Rahm said, “I’m thinking that on Tuesday morning I was still in another country, on the other side of the Atlantic. In the end, I’m happy. It’s a pity to have lost in the playoff and not have been able to do better today. I can’t say it has been a bad week. I gave myself a chance to win, which is what I wanted. I gave it my all until the end, and I’m proud of myself.”

Despite the immediate disappointment of missing out on a fourth national title and the chance to join Marcelino Morcillo as a four-time Open de Espana champion, there are longer-term positives for Rahm. One major motivation has been his appeal of the sanctions imposed by the DP World Tour for playing in LIV events that conflicted with his home circuit.

Rahm’s recent performance has also helped him rise to eighth in the Ryder Cup standings, an encouraging sign for European captain Luke Donald as the top six players qualify automatically. Additionally, Rahm leaped from 125th to 41st in the Race to Dubai standings, giving him a better shot at making the Middle East playoff events in November. The top 70 players in the Race to Dubai standings qualify for the first playoff event in Abu Dhabi, and the top 50 will compete in the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai the following week.

Though his world ranking has taken a hit—largely due to only playing four events in 2024 that count for points, including the Masters, PGA Championship, Open Championship, and the Olympics—Rahm’s recent efforts have provided a boost in that area as well.

For Jon Rahm, there is plenty of good news, even in defeat. Yet, while his future looks bright, the sting of losing remains undeniable. But in the world of professional golf, much like in life—and in LIV—the journey moves forward.