Two weeks ago last Saturday at the Memorial golf tournament we watched a devastated Jon Rahm crumble upon hearing the news that he tested positive for COVID-19 and would be forced to withdraw from the tournament. Not overlooking the fact that he would have most certainly won the event (he was leading by 6 shots going into the final round) Jon was playing the best golf of his young life. He was tearing up an extremely difficult course when one of the PGA Tour's best fields was struggling to stay under par. We ached with Jon as his week turned from an extreme high to a seemingly bottomless low. That's how most of us experienced it anyway. Jon Rahm did not.
"Rahmbo" as he's affectionately called, is a fierce competitor and one of the most passionate golfers in recent memory. Jon quickly refocused his mind, concentrating on his comeback rather than his setback and last week on Father's Day his mental toughness shined as well as his play. His special Sunday was highlighted by birdie putts at 17 and 18 but the lasting image for us is his moment with his young family after realizing he's a major winner.
Jon's history with Torrey Pines is as unique as his passion for the game. Torrey is where he won his first PGA Tour event. Torrey is where he asked his wife, Kelley, to marry him. And now Torrey is site of his first major championship.
To become the first Spaniard to win the US Open, at such a special place, on his very first Father's Day as a dad. Wow, golf is AWESOME!
Golf has a way of setting a scene and this year’s perfectly timed US Open at Torrey Pines was the best in recent memory.