Why Jon Rahm Deserved to Win the U.S. Open 2021 More Than Anyone Else

After four days of exhilarating action, we finally have a winner at the U.S. Open 2021. The third major of the season took place at Torrey Pines this year and saw 156 golfers compete for one of the most prestigious awards in golf. After four rounds, Jon Rahm created history by becoming the first Spanish golfer to win the U.S. Open.

Why Jon Rahm winning the U.S. Open such amazing news for the golf community and the Spaniard himself? Rahm made two clutch birdie putts on the final two holes to complete his Round 4 comeback at Torrey Pines on Sunday. There has never been a player as consistent as Rahm in recent times. 

Yes, Jon Rahm has been the best player on the PGA Tour this season, but he was trophyless before entering the U.S. Open. Prior to the tournament, Rahm had made 17 starts and achieved ten Top 10 starts, including a second-place finish. 

But he has finally achieved the elusive victory. It comes as no surprise as Jon Rahm leads the PGA Tour in total strokes gained (2.028). Furthermore, he’s second in strokes gained off-the-tee (.848), as well as strokes, gained tee-to-green (1.825). 

So the more you look at the numbers, the more you’d be convinced that Jon Rahm is a deserving winner of the U.S. Open. Rahm’s scoring average this season is 69.602, which is better than any other player on the PGA Tour. 

Jon Rahm was deprived of a win at the Memorial

Jon Rahm has been in sensational form of late. The 26-year-old has seven PGA Tour wins, but the number could now be eight, if not for late drama at the 2021 Memorial Tournament. Heading into the final round at the Memorial, Jon Rahm held a six-shot lead, but the title was taken away from him. 

Rahm was withheld from participating at the Memorial shortly after he completed his third round. His six-stroke lead was made void as the Spaniard tested positive for COVID-19 in between his rounds. Hence, the tour protocol suggested nothing but to remove Rahm from the field and make him withdraw from the tournament. 

It was heartbreak for Jon Rahm and his fans at the Muirfield Village Golf Club. Rahm’s seventh win seemed inevitable, but external reasons deterred him from achieving it. But Rahm still stood out amid this drama in the way he handled his withdrawal; the gracious acceptance made him a winner. 

The first win only opens the door for more

Jon Rahm is the first Spanish golfer to win the U.S. Open championship. Rahm created history at Torrey Pines. He joined the PGA Tour in 2016 and it took him five long years to finally get his hands on a major title. 

Rahm had come close to winning a major in the past, but luck was never on his side. He finished fourth in the 2018 Masters and the 2018 PGA Championship. The same could’ve happened at U.S. Open 2021, but Rahm posted the joint-low-score of the day in the final round to escape with the victory. 

Jon Rahm finished 6-under at Torrey Pines and won the major with a one-stroke lead. He birdied the 17th and 18th holes to complete an emphatic comeback. Fans were thrilled and Rahm was jubilated. 

How long will you think it will take before we see Rahm winning another major championship?

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