Rahm ‘under the radar’ to disrupt big three at the PGA Champs?

Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Brooks Koepka enter Valhalla on the back of recent victories, showcasing their formidable form. However, Jon Rahm arrives at the tournament without a worldwide win since his triumph at the 2023 Masters, raising questions about his current momentum and ability to compete at the highest level.

Jon Rahm, once a dominant force in golf, seems to be flying under the radar since his transition to LIV Golf. Despite his previous world No 1 status and being the favorite heading into last year’s PGA Championship, Rahm’s recent performances haven’t garnered the same attention.

After clinching the US Open at Torrey Pines in 2022 and securing a four-shot victory at Augusta National last April, marking his fourth win in three months on the PGA Tour, Rahm’s triumphs have dwindled. He relinquished his top-ranking position to Scottie Scheffler at the PGA Championship a year ago, where Scheffler finished tied-second to Ryder Cup teammate Brooks Koepka. Now, the limelight seems to shine on Scheffler, Koepka, and Rory McIlroy, with McIlroy winning his last two PGA Tour starts.

Despite a lack of recent victories, Rahm concluded his DP World Tour campaign last year with three consecutive top-nine finishes and has maintained consistency in the LIV Golf League in 2024. In his first seven starts for Legion XIII, he hasn’t finished worse than 14th, including four top-five finishes.

However, Rahm’s poor title defense at The Masters, where he ended tied-45th and 20 strokes behind Scheffler, raised questions about his current form. Nonetheless, pundits like Zane Scotland believe Rahm shouldn’t be overlooked. Despite not being in his prime form, Rahm remains a formidable contender.

Zane Scotland highlighted Rahm’s resilience and determination, emphasizing that despite the lack of recent victories, Rahm still sees himself among the elite. With Valhalla presenting a challenging course, Rahm’s resolve and hunger for victory could make him a dangerous opponent.

In golf, a player of Rahm’s caliber, who has been playing consistently but hasn’t tasted victory recently, often emerges as a strong contender due to their hunger for success. As long as Rahm retains his game, he remains a formidable force on the course.