In the reboot of the PGA Tour, we have seen some fantastic finishes at the end of these tournaments. Sunday was another chapter in the drama-filled saga that has been golf in the year 2020. In fact, this past weekend was undoubtedly the best theatre we’ve seen all year.
When the dust settled, Jon Rahm won the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Illinois. For him, it was an outcome that he certainly wasn’t ready for. Rahm was on the practice range, located on the other side of the clubhouse, preparing for a playoff that wasn’t even expected to happen.
Dustin Johnson’s Amazing Putt
Dustin Johnson, who eventually finished second, nailed an insane 45-foot birdie putt down the ridge to force the playoff. Saying that DJ nailed a 45-foot putt would be the understatement of the year. It was a putt that rolled uphill left, essentially stopping before going left downhill.
“I still can’t believe what just happened,” Rahm said.
Jon Rahm’s Amazing Putt
Johnson and Rahm would then enter the playoff pairing. The two would play the 18th hole to start the playoff, where Rahm wound up having a much longer and more difficult putt – a 66-footer on a 90-degree angle to the top of the ridge that hit the slope and went right off the flagstick down into the hole for the victory.
Johnson, who was going for his second victory in as many events, couldn’t help but laugh at Rahm’s miraculous winning putt.
“I played an unbelievable putt, got in the playoff, and then Jon made an even more ridiculous putt on top of me,” said Johnson, who at least kept his No. 1 ranking in the FedExCup.
The two putts downplayed a fantastic weekend finish for Rahm, who posted a 66 on Saturday and then a 64 on Sunday. The performance was especially impressive, considering Olympia Fields was incredibly tough with the “Windy City” vibe living true to its name. Despite those conditions, Rahm only had one bogey over the entire weekend, which was for picking up his ball from the green without marking it.
A couple of other big moments for Rahm included a 6-iron shot on the par-5 15th hole after his tee shot went into the trees. In addition, there was a 30-foot birdie putt on the par-3 16th hole that gave him a two-shot lead; Johnson would storm back with two birdies himself over that span, including the desperation putt on the 18th hole.
“That stretch of waiting for DJ, him making the putt, going in the playoff, me making the putt, then trying to stay mentally in it just in case he made the last putt, it’s been a roller coaster, but so much fun,” Rahm said.
Jon Rahm Career Victories
When it was all said and done, Rahm won for the second time on the PGA Tour this season and 11th time worldwide in his four years as a pro golfer.
“I think we all want the flashy finish, maybe not the stress that comes with it,” Rahm said. “But I set out with myself to enjoy even the uncomfortable moments we had out there today. And man, it was fun.”
Next up for the PGA Tour is a dandy – the Tour Championship played at East Lake Golf Course in Atlanta. This next tournament will be reduced to 30 golfers, as part of the FedEx Cup playoff format coming down the stretch to the very end for a fantastic finish to the season.
