Jon Rahm Stumbles on Final Day of Olympic Golf

In a stunning turn of events at the 2024 Olympics, Jon Rahm found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. After leading the tournament by four shots with just eight holes left, he faltered on the back nine, resulting in a disappointing 39 that left him off the medal podium.

Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top golfer, stormed back to claim the gold medal with an impressive final round of 62. Throughout the day, Rahm’s earlier confidence began to fade as he struggled with the game he had shown throughout the week.

Rahm had been riding high after his recent victory at LIV Golf UK and a solid start to the tournament. He even birdied the par-4 10th hole, putting him at six under for the day and looking strong as he extended his lead.

However, the situation started to shift dramatically on the next few holes. He stumbled with a three-putt bogey on the par-3 11th, followed by another disappointing bogey on the 12th hole. The par-5 14th, which had been the easiest hole all week, turned into his biggest nightmare. A wayward drive forced him to layup, and his next shot rolled left and came up short.

“The main mistake is the third shot on 14,” Rahm explained later. He clearly felt the weight of the moment, and this hole proved to be a turning point as it led to a double-bogey and the loss of his commanding lead.

Pushing through the final stretch, Rahm managed a birdie on the par-3 16th but could not regain his earlier form. He finished the round with back-to-back bogeys on 17 and 18, sealing his fate and leaving him tied for fifth.

After the round, an emotional Rahm reflected on the experience, saying it didn’t just hurt for him but for the entire country of Spain. “I feel like I let myself down and my country,” he shared, acknowledging that such moments cut deeply.

The golf community buzzed with reactions, many pointing out the gravity of Rahm’s collapse and comparing it to other significant upsets in golf history. Commentators emphasized how surprising it was to see someone leading so comfortably succumb to pressure just when it mattered most.

Rahm’s journey over the past few weeks had been one of notable highs and lows. After withdrawing from the U.S. Open due to a foot injury, he bounced back, but the Olympics presented a heavy emotional weight.

Looking ahead, Rahm isn’t ruling out another shot at the Olympics in four years. If he qualifies, the event will be held at Riviera, a course where he previously emerged victorious at the Genesis Invitational.