Now let’s rewind to 2020, to the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields. This tournament had everything: drama, incredible skill, and two of the world’s best golfers pushing each other to their absolute limits.
It’s Sunday, the final day, and Dustin Johnson is the man to beat. Coming off an 11-shot victory the week before, he’s leading the FedEx Cup rankings and seems untouchable. But golf is unpredictable, and Jon Rahm has been quietly climbing the leaderboard all weekend, despite a penalty the day before for picking up his ball without marking it.
The final hole of regulation begins, and Dustin Johnson faces a daunting 45-foot birdie putt on the 18th green. The odds of sinking it are slim, but this is DJ we’re talking about—one of the most clutch players in golf. He lines up the putt, strikes it perfectly, and watches as the ball glides down the ridge and drops into the hole. The crowd—well, what crowd there was during the pandemic—erupts.
But this story isn’t over. While DJ celebrates forcing a playoff, Rahm is on the practice range, preparing for a scenario that seemed almost impossible just moments ago. And then comes his moment.
On the playoff hole—back to the infamous 18th—Rahm faces a putt that’s somehow even more difficult than Johnson’s. A mind-boggling 66 feet, 5 inches, up a slope so steep that he has to aim almost at a 90-degree angle. If it sounds impossible, that’s because it practically is. But Rahm takes a deep breath, trusts his read, and sends the ball rolling.
What happens next feels like it’s straight out of a movie. The ball climbs the ridge, turns, and starts picking up speed down the slope. It kisses the pin and drops into the cup. Rahm’s reaction says it all—arms in the air, mouth wide open in disbelief. Even Johnson, watching from the side, can’t help but laugh in amazement at what he just witnessed.
That putt secured Jon Rahm the win, marking his second PGA Tour victory of the year and the 11th of his career. It also elevated him to the No. 2 spot in the FedEx Cup standings. But more importantly, it reminded the world why golf is so exhilarating—because moments like these, where skill, preparation, and nerves collide, are unforgettable.
Rahm later reflected on the pressure and excitement of that moment, saying, “I think we all want the flashy finish, maybe not the stress that comes with it. But I set out to enjoy even the uncomfortable moments out there today. And man, it was fun.”
Think about it: Rahm and Johnson both made putts most golfers wouldn’t even attempt in a casual round, let alone on one of the toughest courses under the most intense pressure. These shots weren’t just luck—they were the result of years of preparation, practice, and a mental game so strong that neither player flinched in the face of impossible odds.