Players coming out of the college ranks these days are often ready to compete and even win right away on the PGA Tour.
Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed, Justin Thomas and Daniel Berger are among those who have made that quick transition in recent years without hardly blinking an eye when matched against some of the best players in the game.
Jon Rahm of Arizona State appears to be the next one.
One week after tying for 23rd to finish as low amateur in the U.S. Open at Oakmont, the 21-year-old Spaniard took the first-round lead with a 7-under-par 64 in his pro debut and was in the hunt all the way before tying for third in the Quicken Loans National, four strokes behind champion Billy Hurley III.
“I felt like I belonged,” said Rahm, who probably would be playing in the Greenbrier Classic this week had the event not been canceled because of massive flooding in West Virginia. “I played great and hit a lot of good putts, some of which did not go in.
“But it was a really good day and week, and I feel honored to have been here. I learned a lot and had a chance to win. I’m extremely thankful for that.”
By being awarded the McCormack Medal as the best amateur in the world, Rahm earned a spot in the Open Championship next week at Royal Troon in Scotland. However, he forfeited that exemption when he turned pro, only to get it back when he tied for third in the National.
Rahm already showed that he could hang with some of the best on the PGA Tour.
Last year, he received a sponsor’s exemption to play in the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, right down the road from Arizona State.
He was anything but overwhelmed, finishing in a tie for fifth.
“That week was key in my career,” said Rahm, who also tied for 10th earlier this season in the PGA Tour’s OHL Classic at Mayakoba. “That week gave me the confidence that I needed to know that I could compete with the best. Doing that in Phoenix, in my hometown with such an ASU crowd support, it was amazing.”
From an early age, Rahm hoped to follow in the footsteps of Spanish greats Seve Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazabal and Sergio Garcia.
However, he reminds his college coach at Arizona State of another noted pro.
“I see a lot of Phil (Mickelson) in Jon,” said Tim Mickelson, who just happens to be Lefty’s brother, and was with Rahm at the U.S. Open. “I felt as his coach, as I’ve done with other tournaments in the past, I feel like it’s my duty to do everything I can do to help him along the way. …
“He hits it long, is very aggressive and is a great putter. He idolized Seve, and he’s played practice rounds this year with Sergio. The kid loves to compete and have a chance to win.
“Also, he’s the most humble, caring guy I’ve ever coached.”
Rahm claimed 11 titles in his career at Arizona State, second only to Phil Mickelson’s 16. He won the 2016 Pacific 12 Conference Championship and the NCAA Albuquerque Regional before tying for third in the NCAA Championships.
Despite success throughout his college career, Rahm never considered turning pro early.
“I made a commitment to my dad when I left for ASU that I would graduate,” said Rahm, who became the first golfer to twice win the Ben Hogan Award, given to the best college player in the nation.
“Graduation day, it’s the single most important day in any college student’s career. It was such a long process. After a couple weeks, (Tim Mickelson) thought I was going to quit.
“I was terrified to come to the States. I didn’t speak the language.”
Rahm and Tim Mickelson remember the exact moment when the Spaniard was here to stay.
It came early in his freshman year.
“We had a tournament called the Pac-12 Preview up in Oregon,” said Tim Mickelson, who remembered that Rahm was 5 over after the first round. “Then he rattled off 64-65 the last two rounds to finish second in the tournament. I remember the USC coach coming up to me … ‘Who is this kid?'”
Recalled Rahm: “That showed me what I was capable of.”
Now he has definitely graduated to the next level.
–Story courtesy of The Sports Xchange, TSX Golf Editor Tom LaMarre
