Jon Rahm’s collapse in the Olympic final round: “One of the biggest chokes of the year,” says Chamblee

Jon Rahm held a four-shot lead with nine holes to play in the final round of the Olympic golf event at Paris 2024, but stumbled dramatically on the back nine. Despite a blistering front-nine 31, Rahm faltered with a back-nine score of 39, ultimately missing out on a podium finish.

Scottie Scheffler capitalized on Jon Rahm’s collapse, rallying from six shots behind to win the gold medal with a bogey-free round of 62. The surprising turn of events and Rahm’s unexpected faltering sparked intense discussion on Golf Channel’s “Golf Central.”

Golf commentator and well-known LIV Golf detractor Brandel Chamblee was quick to voice his thoughts on Jon Rahm’s performance. Chamblee’s comments were particularly cutting, as he labeled Rahm’s back-nine meltdown as one of the most significant collapses in recent golf history.

Chamblee began his critique by highlighting the wild nature of Rahm’s back nine, noting:

“That was just about the wildest back nine that you could ever imagine, ever predict.”

He went on to describe Jon Rahm’s performance as “one of the biggest chokes of the year,” drawing comparisons to Rory McIlroy’s struggles at the U.S. Open earlier this year.

Chamblee’s criticisms didn’t stop there. He dissected Jon Rahm’s game, pointing out that he had led the field in fairways hit, driving distance, and greens in regulation for most of the tournament. However, Chamblee emphasized that the “demon” that had plagued Rahm over the past year – the dreaded double cross – reappeared at crucial moments during the back nine.

“Jon Rahm looked so solid the first three-and-a-half rounds… but the demon that has plagued him over the last year is that double cross,” Chamblee remarked.

Jon Rahm’s Olympic Collapse

This sharp critique wasn’t the first time Chamblee had targeted Jon Rahm. The golf commentator has been a vocal critic of Rahm’s decision to join LIV Golf, a move that surprised many given Rahm’s previous opposition to the league.

Chamblee accused Rahm of “selling out” his career for a lucrative deal with LIV Golf, arguing that Rahm could have achieved greater financial and professional success by staying on the PGA Tour. Chamblee’s harsh words reflected his broader disdain for LIV Golf and its impact on the professional golfing landscape.

After his disappointing finish, Rahm expressed his heartbreak in an interview with Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard.

“For about 97 percent of the week has been fantastic… there’s basically a four-hole stretch where I could say I wasn’t happy,” Rahm stated.

He admitted that the collapse “hurts right now more than I expected” and that failing to secure a medal for Spain was particularly painful. Rahm acknowledged that he had a lot to be proud of but admitted that the final round’s outcome would sting for a while.

Jon Rahm’s collapse included a brutal four-hole stretch from Nos. 11-14, where he carded two bogeys and a double bogey. Although he managed a birdie on the par-3 16th, he closed with additional bogeys on Nos. 17 and 18.

Reflecting on his performance, Rahm said, “The main mistake is the third shot on 14… I ended up paying the price for compounding mistakes on that hole.”

Despite the disappointing finish, Rahm expressed hope for future Olympic opportunities. If he qualifies for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, he may have a chance to redeem himself at Riviera, a course where he previously found success.

Chamblee’s harsh critique and Rahm’s emotional response highlight the intense pressure and high stakes of Olympic competition, showcasing the fine line between triumph and heartbreak in the world of professional golf.