A cracking shot from Jon Rahm on the 16th ends the match. The Armada triumphs. David Puig and the golfer from Barrika defeat Phil Mickelson and Andy Ogletree by three up. A dogfight. No joke. It’s Wednesday, the final day of the PGA Championship. A good way to warm up before the competition.
Jon’s birdie, textbook, a palm’s length from the hole, is not a coincidence, nor a rara avis. It’s one more for the collection. They have played from 10 to 18 at Valhalla and their golf display has been exceptional. He’s sharp. A mallet from the tee and brilliant with the irons. Yes, agreed, it’s Wednesday, nothing counts here, the important thing is tomorrow, it’s Jon himself who reminds us, who cools the water, but the reality is what it is. The most superstitious should stop reading. Those who are more about feeling the ground they walk on, go ahead.
The most intuitive will have noticed. The match is made up of three golfers from Arizona State (all but Ogletree, a product of Georgia Tech) and all four from LIV Golf. The crowd follows and cheers them on. Fans don’t understand messes, they don’t want breakups, they don’t care about controversies, they simply gather to enjoy Phil’s short game, like the delicious approach from the 17th, short of green, over a bunker, about 30 meters from the hole… Given. Or Jon’s power fade from the tee. Oiled. Ready for battle.
There’s a revealing symptom, Dave Philips, Rahm and Puig’s coach, is in the match. He doesn’t exchange a word with Jon. It’s not necessary. Don’t touch what’s going well. He looks, sees everything, analyzes each shot, but doesn’t speak. Why should he. He just repeats like a parrot: “good swing, Jon”. Blessed broken record. With David he does adjust some things. The one from La Garriga has played very well, he’s relaxed, mature, he’s a more accomplished player than at last year’s US Open, but the drive still gives him some headaches, his big battle horse. He’s much better than a few weeks ago, but some go to the right and smoke comes out of his head…
However, around the green he’s a wizard. We’re not discovering anything, but it’s worth remembering. On the 17th hole he signed an approach that left Rahm and Mickelson open-mouthed. Big words. He opened the clubface to the limit. It can’t be more horizontal to the ground, with the ball resting in the bare area around the green, about ten meters from the flag. That situation in which you, dear amateur, (and me), know that the most likely thing is to get a thin shot and tear off the ear of the one in front… Puig’s ball has brushed the edge of the hole and stopped a finger away. Crazy.
Rahm and his birdies have carried the weight of the match, but Puig has been there when needed. Three up in nine holes against Mickelson and Ogletree is no small feat. The test of 9 before the PGA is passed, although the duel did not end there. ‘Uncle Phil’ is unable to leave with such a severe defeat without asking for revenge. He messes with Puig and they agree on a double or nothing in the last two holes. “He took the rookie aside and looked for ways around him. He doesn’t propose it to me. I don’t let him. Another two-hole match can be accepted, but making it clear that the first one is already won and that’s the one that counted”, Rahm claims, playing the veteran.
The second match is decided on the 18th hole, a par 5. Ogletree and Jon play it brilliantly. Drive to the fairway and an eagle option less than four meters away. Another one from Rahm for the gallery. The Basque misses the putt and it hurts. The American makes it to win with an eagle. Mickelson claims a total draw. There’s no choice but to give it to him because it was agreed. Witness to the duel, the nine holes, was David Novak, the owner of Valhalla. Yesterday he invited the Spaniards and other players to a reception at his house. He’s a leadership guru in the United States.
Beyond the final result, you have to stick with Jon’s game. If you’re not superstitious and have made it to the end, you have reasons to have faith in Rahm this week. Afterwards, the competition will pass judgement, as always. In the meantime, we leave you with a reflection from Puig who has been playing with him for a year and a half: although it may seem incredible, Jon is a much better player today than a year and a half ago… More powerful, more astonishing. We’re not the ones saying it.
In short, Rahm’s game is ready for the PGA Championship, although to win a tournament of this type many more things have to align than a well-oiled swing and good shots. Of course, the head has to be in the right place, patience levels well charged, the putter suitably sharpened and luck, of course, on your side.
