Jon Rahm completed an outstanding week at the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, where he finished tied for second on six under par. The player from Barrika once again showed his ability to compete on the most demanding stages in world golf and left the second major of the season with another performance of great consistency.
Rahm produced four controlled rounds, always in the fight and always close to the top of the leaderboard. Scores of 69, 70, 67 and 68 gave him a 274 total, tied for second alongside Alex Smalley and three shots behind champion Aaron Rai, who claimed the title on nine under par.
It was a week that built steadily. Jon opened the tournament with a solid 69, a round that immediately placed him in a good position. On Friday, he stayed in touch with a hard-earned 70 on a demanding day, and on Saturday he made a significant move with a 67 that put him firmly in contention for the Wanamaker Trophy. On a course like Aronimink, where every mistake came at a price, Rahm once again showed one of his great strengths: competing all the way to the finish.
He closed the championship on Sunday with a 68, another under-par round on a day of maximum pressure. The victory did not come, but there was another confirmation of his stature in major championships. Rahm was once again exactly where he wants to be: in the title conversation, near the top of the leaderboard and fighting deep into the final stretch for a third major title.
The PGA Championship at Aronimink leaves a very positive reading for Jon. Beyond the result itself, his game showed up again on a stage of the highest difficulty and against one of the strongest fields of the year. The runner-up finish strengthens the feeling that Rahm remains firmly established among the leading contenders whenever a Grand Slam event comes around.
Aaron Rai ultimately took the title with a brilliant final round and a nine-under total, while Rahm and Smalley shared second place on six under. Other major names inside the top ten included Cameron Smith, Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele, who finished tied for seventh.
For Jon, Aronimink was another week that underlined his competitive stature. There was no trophy, but there was presence, consistency, ambition and a performance of the highest level in one of the most important tournaments on the calendar. Another step forward in a season in which he continues to collect prestigious results and very solid signs.