Jon Rahm added another top-10 finish to his resume at the U.S. Open last week, and the Spaniard has been tipped to perform even better at The Open Championship next month
Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton impressed at the U.S. Open(Image: Getty Images)
Former PGA Tour star Smylie Kaufman believes Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton have what it takes to be crowned Champion Golfer of the Year at The Open Championship next month.
Rahm, who secured a top-10 finish at last week’s U.S. Open, will be looking to win the Claret Jug for the first time at Royal Portrush. The Spaniard’s form at the four major championships has been questioned by some since making the move to LIV Golf at the end of 2024.
His last four performances, however, have shown that he is more than capable of competing for the biggest prizes on the golf course. He has not finished outside the top 20 at a major in that time.
Most recently, the European Ryder Cup star put in a strong showing at Oakmont in brutal conditions. A final round three-under-par 67 last Sunday saw the Spaniard finish in a tie for seventh at four-over-par, five back of eventual champion J.J. Spaun.
His Legion XIII teammate Hatton enjoyed an even better week, securing his best major finish by ending the championship in a tie for fourth, having battled his way into contention in round four. It was a tough finish for Hatton, ending his week with back-to-back bogeys.
But his showing proved he has what it takes to compete at the business end of a major. The next on the schedule is The Open, and the Legion XIII pair have been backed to make a charge for the title when competing in Northern Ireland by Kaufman
Jon Rahm has been tipped to win The Open(Image: Getty Images)
“I feel like I’m either going to take Rahm or Hatton at the Open Championship,” he said on The Smylie Show. Highlighting Rahm in particular, he added: “I saw so much good from Rahm this week, but he putted like a dog on Friday, and it probably cost him his chance to win this tournament.
“He was 143rd in the field in putting, lost like three strokes on the green, and he said he was hitting good putts.” Rahm’s putting appeared to be the only kink in his armor while competing in Pennsylvania, having weathered the storm around the Oakmont rough fairly well.
His final round showing was helped by an improvement on the greens, something he alluded to post-tournament. “It’s crazy because it doesn’t feel like I played that different to every other round,” he said on Sunday. “Two keys: Number one would be I kept it in play off the tee.
“I’m trying to go through the round. For the most part, I was in the fairway or the first cut most of the entire day. I think the first time I was not in one of those was the 14th, and luckily, I was close enough to the green to fix that. Then my lag putting. I had the speed really dialed in today.
“I felt like I was very comfortable, if you can be at Oakmont, with speeds, and it showed. Every long putt I had was nothing but a kick-in and didn’t have to stress for it. That helps a lot. And obviously making the bonus one on 16, right. I think those two keys are what made today possible.
