The Open: Jon Rahm’s “best ever links round” revives major hopes

Jon Rahm revelled in his “best ever links round” after a sublime 63 saw the Spaniard charge into contention at The Open.

Rahm was a picture of frustration making the cut line by just one shot here at Royal Liverpool – but the Masters champion is suddenly right in the frame to win his second major of the season after a vintage Saturday.

The world No.2 rode the wave of momentum on a magical back nine – coming home in just 30 shots with four consecutive birdies to post the lowest score in Open history at Hoylake.

• Thomas and form’s unrequited love

• Harman the man to beat at Hoylake

His six-under-par aggregate trailed the formidable overnight leader Brian Harman by four on a thrilling start to moving day on the Wirral links.

Huge roars after a crucial eight-foot birdie putt rolled in on the 18th will have been heard by leading group Harman and Tommy Fleetwood as they prepared to tee off on the nearby first tee.

“That’s the best round I’ve played on a links golf course ever,” a beaming Rahm told reporters.

“The wind conditions is what made the course change a little bit,” he added, with plenty of players taking advantage of the serene morning weather with low scores.

• The Open: Round 3 tee times

• Who made the cut in all four men’s majors?

Rahm’s 63, however, was the 14th round of that score or better in Open Championship history and, out of nowhere, he is in the hunt to complete golf’s most prestigious double in one year.

But as expected for a man of Rahm’s major credentials, he is not getting carried away.

“Well, there’s a lot of golf to go,” he said when asked about the prospect of winning the Claret Jug. “Honestly, I’m just going to enjoy the afternoon with my family, and that’s about it.

“There’s nothing to be done. Feel like I’ve done a lot of good work the past few weeks, and I’ve done a lot of good work this week, as well, and I’ve done what I’ve needed, which is give myself an opportunity.”

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.