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PGA Championship Power Rankings: Top 10 picks for Bellerive

By Mike Randleman

ST LOUIS, MO - JUNE 04: The Wanamaker Trophy, which is awarded to the PGA Champion is seen during the 2018 PGA Championship Media Day at Bellerive Country Club on June 4, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - JUNE 04: The Wanamaker Trophy, which is awarded to the PGA Champion is seen during the 2018 PGA Championship Media Day at Bellerive Country Club on June 4, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) /
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AKRON, OH – AUGUST 05: Jon Rahm of Spain plays his shot on the fourth hole during the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational – Final Round at Firestone Country Club South Course on August 5, 2018 in Akron, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
AKRON, OH – AUGUST 05: Jon Rahm of Spain plays his shot on the fourth hole during the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational – Final Round at Firestone Country Club South Course on August 5, 2018 in Akron, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

I’ve had trouble squeezing Jon Rahm into my rankings in recent weeks. That’s more of a sign of the strength of fields these days than it is on Rahm.

He comes into Bellerive somewhat under the radar despite still being ranked in the world top 10. The Spaniard finished T17 last week at the WGC-Bridgestone for his fourth top-20 in his last six starts.

Rahm has three worldwide wins as part of eight top-fives since November.

He’s second on Tour in strokes gained off the tee and will be among those gunning for a long drive title. The aggressive player is second in birdie average and seems to be better suited to the PGA Championship versus the grind of a U.S. Open, for example.

Rahm has improved from 80th to 24th in strokes gained around the green. He’s also sixth in greens in regulation and fourth in par-4 scoring.

The 23-year-old has made the cut in six of nine major starts. He finished fourth at the 2018 Masters for his first top-five in a major. He’s clearly got more in the tank and I envision Rahm having a chance to make a run on Sunday.

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