As most of the golf world obsesses over Scottie Scheffler’s laser focus and Rory McIlroy’s quest for closure at The Open, Jon Rahm is busy doing what he does best—letting his clubs do the talking. But the noise around him? Practically silent.
Since his mega-money move to LIV Golf in late 2023, Rahm has been cast as a background character in the golf narrative. But here’s the twist: he might be playing the best golf of his life—and barely anyone’s noticing.
Rebuilding, Rahm-Style
2024 wasn’t Rahm’s finest year by any stretch. Missed cuts, forgettable finishes, and the odd media jab made it feel like he’d lost his edge. But in 2025? He’s been climbing back, step by measured step.
It started with a gritty title defense at the Masters. After an opening round 75 left him flirting with the cut line, Rahm clawed back with three solid rounds to finish T-14. Not exactly headline-worthy, but definitely pulse-checking.
Then came the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow—where things got spicy. Rahm surged into contention, even drawing level with Scheffler on Sunday. For a fleeting moment, it looked like his third major was within reach. A late stumble left him T-8, but the message was clear: Rahm’s back.
At Oakmont, Rahm made another charge at the U.S. Open, bouncing back from a second-round 75 to shoot a final-round 67—the joint-low round of the day—and finish T-7. Clutch golf. And yet, still somehow in the shadows.
The Numbers Don’t Lie—But the Rankings Might
According to the Official World Golf Ranking? Rahm is 80th. According to Data Golf? He’s 4th. That’s not a typo.
He’s gaining strokes across the board—off the tee, on approach, and even around the greens—outperforming both Scheffler and McIlroy in several key metrics. And yes, that’s including the switch to his new Odyssey Ai-One #24 Slant putter and Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond driver.
If you’re wondering why no one’s shouting about this from the rooftops, it probably has something to do with the three letters the media loves to ignore: L-I-V.
LIV Consistency with a Caveat
Since joining LIV Golf, Rahm has been a model of consistency—20 consecutive top-10s before finally slipping up at Dallas. Yes, LIV fields are smaller. No, that doesn’t make what he’s doing irrelevant.
“I’d be lying if I said that it wasn’t easier to have top 10s with a smaller field,” Rahm admitted, in classic no-filter fashion. “But I’ve been playing good enough to say that I would most likely have been inside the top 30 every single time and maybe even top 25.”
Translation: it’s not a fluke. The man is balling.
Built for Portrush?
Royal Portrush might just be the perfect storm for Rahm. He’s got history there—a T-11 at the 2019 Open—and he knows the nuances of the course better than most. That elevation shift on the 1st? The brutal downhill 5th? He’s not just ready for them—he relishes them.
“It’s not something you usually get to practice in links golf,” he said of the elevation-heavy layout. And he’s got the receipts too—two Irish Open wins on links-style courses at Portstewart and Lahinch.
Add it all up, and you’ve got a dangerous mix: a player peaking in form, flying under the radar, and heading to a course that plays right into his hands.
Forgotten, But Not Gone
So why isn’t Rahm’s name leading every preview piece for The Open? The short answer: media bias. The longer one? LIV Golf’s media blackout effect.
Since his defection, Rahm’s achievements—like winning the 2024 LIV Individual Championship—have been largely ignored in favor of propping up PGA Tour loyalists. And yet, here he is, outplaying many of them in the game’s biggest moments.
Even Rahm himself has hinted at the frustration: “I would still undoubtedly consider myself a top-10 player in the world.” Based on the stats, that might be selling himself short.
The Fire’s Still Burning
What hasn’t changed is Rahm’s hunger. After nearly snagging the PGA Championship, he didn’t downplay his desire for more major hardware.
“About as hungry as anybody can be in this situation,” he said. “I think today was the round that I knew I was capable of.”
That’s the thing about Rahm. He doesn’t need the spotlight to shine. He thrives on proving people wrong—and with the Claret Jug in sight, he’s never been better positioned to do just that.
So, should we be paying more attention to Jon Rahm?
Yes. Before it’s too late and he’s lifting another major trophy while everyone else is busy watching someone else’s press conference.
