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In what could have been a triumphant moment in his career, Jon Rahm saw a golden opportunity slip away during the final round of the 2025 PGA Championship. Holding a share of the lead with just nine holes to play, the two-time major champion seemed poised to secure his first PGA Championship title. However, an unexpected collapse in the final stretch left Rahm finishing a disappointing eighth—his worst final round result in a major.
A promising start turns bitter
Rahm began the day at Quail Hollow with composure, confidence, and momentum. “God, it’s been a while since I had that much fun on a golf course, 15 holes,” Rahm said, reflecting on his round. He had managed to stay in contention against elite competitors, including eventual winner Scottie Scheffler, who surged ahead with clutch birdies down the stretch.
Despite solid play throughout the tournament, Rahm’s unraveling began on the back nine. A missed birdie opportunity on the 13th, followed by a tough break on the 14th—where what he called his best drive of the week ended up in a bunker—signaled the beginning of the end.
“If there was ever a time where it felt like it was slipping away… it was not birdieing 14 and 15,” Jon Rahm admitted.
The collapse at the Green Mile
The infamous Green Mile proved unforgiving. On the par-5 15th, Rahm gave himself a promising eagle putt but failed to capitalize, walking away with par. Then came the brutal finish: bogey on 16, a costly double on the 17th after his tee shot found the water, and another double bogey on 18.
“I think it was a bit of nerves. Can’t pinpoint exactly right now,” Rahm said when asked what caused his sudden decline. “I didn’t feel like I rushed anything. I didn’t feel like the process was bad.”
It was a rare moment of vulnerability from a player known for his mental toughness in major championship play.
Staying grounded despite disappointment
This marked the first time Jon Rahm held a legitimate shot to win a major late on a Sunday and didn’t close.
“I think it’s the first time I’ve been in position to win a major that close and haven’t done it,” he noted. Typically an emotional player, Rahm processed the loss with a surprising sense of clarity.
“I play golf for a living. It’s incredible,” he said. “Am I embarrassed a little bit about how I finished today? Yeah. But I just need to get over it, get over myself. It’s not the end of the world.”
Eyes on redemption
While the sting of his PGA Championship finish is still fresh, Rahm chooses to focus on the positives. His performance off the tee and with the putter remained elite, ranking in the top 20 in strokes gained. Though his short game let him down late, Rahm is using this experience as a learning moment heading into the U.S. Open.
With multiple top-10 finishes on the LIV Golf circuit and flashes of brilliance this week, Jon Rahm remains a formidable force in the game. And if history is any indication, setbacks like this only sharpen his competitive edge.
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