Jon starred in a brilliant ending, marred by a double bogey in the 18th that prevented him from finishing at the top of the standings.
The US Open always tests every player at some point and only those with the greatest mental toughness make it to the back nine on Sunday with a shot at victory. Let them explain it to world number one Scottie Scheffler, who reached the 11th hole as leader and -6 in the aggregate; or Collin Morikawa, who did +7 on the day.
The historic The Country Club of Brookline (Boston) was a huge challenge for golfers, although today we can say that Jon Rahm was one of those who came out the best and will fight to retain the tittle he won last year Torrey Pines. On a day like the one played this Saturday, making par at each hole was already a success and evidenced by the fact that only seven players fell below par.
Rahm was one of those who had the most control over his lap, which does not mean that he had a smooth ride, far from it. The Basque, who finished with 71 shots and has 207 in total, was very solid with medium-distance putts, which even in the most complicated moments avoided several bogeys. Even the bogey of the 13th did not go any further precisely thanks to the fact that the “Lion of Barrika” calmed his nerves with a putter that later on the 14th gave him the birdie.
This stick, which has given Jon so many headaches this year and which he turned into a magic wand today, also gave him the birdie on 15 and 17. Great lap for “Rahmbo“, despite a serious mistake on 18. He was unable to get the ball out of a bunker first and there a hole twisted that ended in double bogey.
The Spanish golfer pointed out after finishing: “It was a good round, although many people will only think of 18. However, I hit six good shots on that hole. The execution of those swings was adequate. Tomorrow i can only control what I do and I have to focus on my golf. I am very happy with how well I have been playing even though it was irritating the way I finished. I am only 18 holes ahead and only one behind“. Jon clarified that on his first shot in the bunder on the 18th he did not see the ball so deep because the light was not there anymore.
Jorge Barbero
