Jon Rahm is feeling optimistic as he gears up for the PGA Championship this week in Charlotte, North Carolina. After watching his friend Rory McIlroy achieve a career grand slam last month, Rahm is eager to join the ranks of the few golfers who have won all four major tournaments.
At just 30 years old, Rahm has already secured victories at the U.S. Open in 2021 and the Masters in 2023, putting him halfway to the grand slam. Winning the PGA Championship would be a significant milestone for him. “Winning a third different major would definitely be on my mind,” he shared during a press conference at Quail Hollow Club.
Rahm’s Competition and Historical Challenges
Among the 15 LIV Golf players in the PGA field, Rahm and fellow golfer Dustin Johnson are the only ones who have the chance to add a third major victory to their records this Sunday. Brooks Koepka, another LIV player, has already won three PGA Championships, and Phil Mickelson, with six major wins, is close to completing his grand slam next month at the U.S. Open.
Bryson DeChambeau, who has two U.S. Open titles, is also a top contender this week after his recent win at LIV Golf Korea. Last year, he narrowly missed winning the PGA Championship, finishing just one shot behind the leader, Xander Schauffele.
When discussing major victories, Rahm expressed a preference for having multiple wins at a single major, like Nick Faldo’s six total victories (three at the Masters and three at The Open), over winning one of each major. However, he acknowledged that winning all four would be an extraordinary achievement. Right now, he’s focused on securing his third win, whether it be at the PGA or The Open.
Historically, the PGA Championship has been a challenge for Rahm. In nine attempts, he has only finished in the top 10 twice, with his best result being a tie for fourth in 2018. He noted that he hasn’t yet achieved a top-three finish in this particular major, which he attributes to the varying conditions from year to year.
“Unlike Augusta or the U.S. Open, where you know what to expect, the PGA changes venues and setups, making it more unpredictable,” he explained.
Despite not winning yet this year, Rahm’s overall performance has been solid. Since joining LIV Golf last season, he has consistently finished in the top 10 in every regular-season event except for one, where he had to withdraw due to an injury. He later bounced back to win the LIV Golf Individual Championship.
“I’ve been playing well all year,” he said. “Maybe not as well as I’d like, but if I keep finishing in the top 10, that’s still promising. I can see improvements in my game, so I’m hopeful.”