The 2021 Major season: Winners and Losers

Jon Rahm

With a victory at the U.S. Open and solid finishes in the other three Majors, Rahm may have made the most intimidating impact on both the peak and career lists in 2021.

Having played  just 16 professional Majors entering 2021, Rahm’s peak score of -0.89 did not even register among the top 150 at the  beginning of the season. At season’s end, his peak score sits at -1.50, an impressive breakthrough all the way up to 56th place. He will enter 2022 close on the heels of legends such as Peter Thomson and Henry Cotton (both -1.51), Nick Price (-1.52) and Billy Casper (-1.53).

And in the short term, at least, Rahm has unlimited room for growth in his peak rating. Two scores of -2.0 in the four 2022 Majors could improve his peak average to around -1.70, and that would place him at a level with Ernie Els, which is top 30 status.

Rahm’s career score debuts at -1.43, and he sits 93. Again the key is potential for growth. Rahm improved his career score by nearly seven points in 2021. If he does that again in 2022 he would climb among the top 70 all-time. Not bad given that he’s only 26 year s old and arguably only approaching his prime.