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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

Jon Rahm is arguably one of the most celebrated active golfers in the Open Championship this season, especially since he became the first Spaniard to win the US Open title two years ago. He earned his exemption into Royal Liverpool as one of the last 5 winners of the US Open. His performance since that win has been mind-blowing.

At the dawn of the 151st Open Championship, the Spaniard may not have had a great start at Hoylake’s prestigious golf course. But come Round 3, he made a spectacular finish to improve his contention for the title.

How Jon Rahm turned things around at Hoylake

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This year’s Masters Tournament winner made the cut into the finals with 3-over par on day 1, and 1-under par on day 2. It subsequently helped him achieve 2-over par to qualify for moving day. That was all the opportunity he needed to run from the 39th position where he ended up after round 2.

Also read: ‘I Wasn’t Forced…’: Month After $3,000,000,000 LIV Golf Shocker, Jon Rahm Makes a Bold Confession About His Loyalty

On Saturday, Rahm didn’t start in great form. At the front 9, his unfortunate streak from the past two days continued. His first birdie shot went amiss and he scraped through the next three holes with 4 strokes each till he finally birdied at the 5th. That lifted his spirits and he picked up the pace a little, finishing on 9th with another 2-stroke birdie.

At the back nine is when he really came into form. Once he got his spirit soaring, he had a series of birdies on the 10th, 11th, 12th, 15th, 16th, and 18th. Ultimately, he culminated with a career low of 63, strolling far away from his starting position of the day at 39. He ended up in 2nd place with only a 4-stroke difference from the round 2 leader Brian Harman. NUCLRGolf shared the unmatched moment on Twitter.

The Spaniard was truly pleased with his performance and said, “That’s the best round I’ve played on a links golf course ever.… I’ve done what I’ve needed, which is give myself an opportunity.”

Not only did Rahm make the lowest score of his career at Major Tournaments, he also achieved the lowest score ever in the Open Championship. With a par difference between previous tournaments and the current par-71 at Royal Liverpool this season, he set a record of his own on the prestigious course.

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Can Jon Rahm win the Open Championship?

His improved gameplay in round 3 back 9 puts Rahm in an advantageous position to vie for the title. Brian Harman finished with 1-over par, which puts him at 9-under par in total as compared to Rahm’s 6-under par.

Given the diminished difference of 3 strokes after Harman finished with round 3, the Masters winner is in a great position to chase the title. If he has a winning stroke tomorrow in the final round, Rahm has a solid chance of winning the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, earning the second major win of his career at the last event of the 2022-23 season.

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What are your thoughts about Jon Rahm’s chances at the title? Do you think he can keep up his form till the end of round 4? Share your opinions with us in the comments below.

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