Jon Rahm’s form at the start of the 2026 season suggests that he is definitely going to be one to watch in the majors, with one win and three runner-up finishes under his belt.
Rahm has not finished lower than fifth on LIV Golf this year. And he was only beaten in South Africa this week after Bryson DeChambeau produced a stunning approach shot in the playoff.
But there is one area that should be a serious concern for Rahm as The Masters edges closer and closer.
He possesses an unwanted record that could prove to be a serious issue psychologically.
Same old story as Jon Rahm loses in a playoff at LIV Golf South Africa
Rahm went into the final round in Steyn City having lost more playoffs in LIV Golf history than any other player. He had previously been unsuccessful on all three occasions he had been involved in additional holes.
Following Sunday’s result, the 31-year-old has now lost all playoffs he has featured in on LIV. Having also lost to Angel Hidalgo in the same circumstances at the 2024 Spanish Open on the DP World Tour, you would have to go back to 2020 for the last time Rahm won any playoff.
Clearly, for a player of his ability, that is nowhere near good enough.
Rahm’s results do not tell the full story. He was desperately unlucky to see his approach smash into the pin during his duel with Sebastian Munoz in Indianapolis last year.
But there is a very good chance that Rahm finds himself right in contention coming down the stretch on a Sunday at at least one of the four majors in 2026.
It would be far from ideal for him to have the fact that he has lost his last five playoffs in the back of his mind.
Not only would that have the potential to impact him if one of the majors goes into overtime, but it may also affect how he plays towards the end of the final round.
Rahm would be forgiven for wanting to do everything he can to avoid a playoff. While that is an obvious thing to say, it cannot be easy to stick to your processes and make the right decision when you have such a surprisingly poor playoff record.
LIV Golf named Rahm as the Clutch Player of the Year for 2025 looks even stranger
It was, in all honesty, laughable when LIV gave Rahm the Clutch Player of the Year award after his 2025 season.
While his consistency was remarkable, he did not win a single event individually. Meanwhile, he lost two playoffs.
Rahm is arguably one of the three best players on the planet right now. But he squandered a five-shot advantage against Anthony Kim in Adelaide in February, and has now lost in another playoff in South Africa.
There is, therefore, plenty of work to be done if Rahm is going to realise his full potential and go down as an all-time great.
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