2021 PGA Championship: Top 10 power rankings at Kiawah Island
Jon Rahm is among those teeing it up at Kiawah Island for the first time competitively. He was born just a few years after fellow Spaniards Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal teed it up at the “War by the Shore.”
Rahm is no stranger to the big stage, however. At age 26, the big guy already owns four PGA Tour titles (five, if you count his unofficial Hero World Challenge win) and two European Tour titles.
He’s clearly the best player in the world without a major.
Nothing’s assured in golf, but a big victory seems to be in the cards based on his resume to date. Rahm has made the cut in 14 of 18 majors as well as in the last six. The Arizona State alum has six top-10s, including T-5th in April at the Masters.
Rahm has finished in the top 13 in seven of 10 events in 2021. He’s cooled off a little bit with a missed cut at the Wells Fargo Championship, though he did improve to T-34th last week at the AT&T Byron Nelson.
Softer conditions at Kiawah Island in 2012 would have been perfect for a player like Rahm. Nonetheless, the Ocean course should still suit him.
He’s clearly got the power to handle major championship golf’s longest test. Rahm ranks third on the PGA Tour in strokes gained off the tee (.823) and is fourth in SG tee to green (1.485).
Long iron play will be important this week. He’s sixth in proximity from 175-200 yards (30’3”) and 36th from 200+ (49’11”).
If you don’t want to buy into the hype of the Rorys and Jordans of the world, Rahm’s a great option to go with for your DFS lineup or bet slip.