Jon Rahm lost out on an Olympic medal by two shots after blowing a four-shot lead with nine holes remaining. US TV analyst Brandel Chamblee did not take the Spaniard’s collapse lightly.
After Jon Rahm’s dramatic collapse in the final round of the Olympics, Brandel Chamblee wasted no words in criticizing the event, calling it “one of the biggest chokes of the year” and comparing it to Rory McIlroy’s collapse at the US Open.
Rahm was in the lead going into the final nine holes, having extended his lead to four shots following an incredible front-nine thirty-one. But in the last few holes, he lost his way and could only manage an even-par 70, which gave world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler the opportunity to mount an incredible comeback and win the gold.
After falling behind by six shots, Scheffler went on a birdie frenzy, making four of the final five holes to record a perfect final round 62. Tommy Fleetwood of Team GB lost to the American by one shot, and Hideki Matsuyama of Japan took third place despite finishing two shots behind.
Rahm lost out at Le Golf National, finishing four strokes short of Scheffler’s winning total despite his tremendous 15-under total. Commentator Chamblee of NBC Sports did not hold back when analyzing Rahm’s astonishing display.
According to Chamblee, “that was pretty much the wildest back nine you could ever imagine, ever predict.” He emphasized how Rahm’s 39 and Scheffler’s 29 on their respective back nines were in sharp contrast, confirming the outcome as an incredible turn of events.
“I’m going to put that down as one of the biggest collapses, chokes of the year,” Chamblee said in closing. Comparable to Rory McIlroy nearing the finish line of the U.S. Open.”
Golf analyst Chamblee likened Rahm’s performance to that of Rory McIlroy’s agonizing showing in June, when McIlroy’s final-round collapse made it possible for Bryson DeChambeau to win. Between the 11th and 14th holes, Rahm made several costly mistakes that caused his commanding lead to collapse. His only reprieve came from a birdie on the 16th hole. But a series of birdies elsewhere knocked him off course.
“Jon Rahm looked so solid the first three and a half rounds,” said Chamblee. “He led the field in driving distance, in fairway hits, and in greens in regulation.”
“However, that double cross has been the demon tormenting him for the past year or so. And we saw it at the eighth, but it really paid him a visit on the back nine in a few significant situations. Of course, there are also the occasional three-putt here and there. Thus, giving up a four-shot lead and, incidentally, failing to medal.”
Even so, Rahm remained positive despite his disappointment at not winning a medal following such impressive early performances. He continued to express shock at what had happened, saying, “About 97% of the week has been great. It’s been a terrific crowd. It’s been a fantastic week. The golf course itself is excellent, but there’s a four-hole stretch that I didn’t enjoy.
“Aside from that, the tournament has been excellent. Though this will hurt for a while, there are still many things to be proud of.”
Rahm will try to win a medal at Riviera, the course where he won the 2023 Genesis Invitational before switching to LIV Golf, if he makes it to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
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