Jon Rahm Makes Strong Statement Before U.S. Open

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rodney Knuppel | Last updated Jun 10, 2025 3:29 PM ET

The place to be this weekend is Oakmont, Pennsylvania, where the U.S. Open gets underway Thursday and runs through Sunday.

With plenty of big names in the field, there's no shortage of storylines. One of the top contenders is Jon Rahm, the 30-year-old Spaniard aiming for his third career major title. Rahm turned pro in 2016 after a standout career at Arizona State University.

The return to Oakmont brings back strong memories for Rahm. In the 2016 U.S. Open, he was the low amateur, finishing tied for 23rd at +7. Before his Tuesday practice round, Rahm reflected on that experience in comments shared by the U.S. Open.

"Jon Rahm returns to Oakmont where he earned low-amateur honors in 2016. He's fully aware how difficult it plays."

"I just thought, oh, this is what a U.S. Open is like. I didn't know it was the
top tier of difficulty of a U.S. Open."

Jon Rahm returns to Oakmont where he earned low-amateur honors in 2016. He's fully aware how difficult it plays. pic.twitter.com/MtTGhznJhj
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 10, 2025

When asked about his initial impression of his first U.S. Open at Oakmont, Rahm said.

“I just thought, oh, this is what a U.S. Open is like. I didn’t know it was the top tier of difficulty of a U.S. Open.”

Rahm went on to praise the legendary course.

“I think every time you come, it never ceases to amaze – the history, the old-school feel of the clubhouse and then the golf course in itself.”

Rahm hasn’t picked up a win since September 2024, when he topped Sergio Garcia and Joaquin Niemann at LIV Golf Chicago. His last PGA Tour victory came at the 2023 Masters, where he defeated Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson by four strokes.

He'll tee off at 1:14 p.m. EST on Thursday alongside Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson, two fellow U.S. Open champions. With major winners all around him and Oakmont’s fierce layout ahead, Rahm will need to be at his best to take home another title.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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