Jon Rahm (-1) has given Spanish fans hope of a feat, almost a miracle, in the 152nd edition of The Open. The three…

Jon Rahm (-1) gave Spanish fans hope of a comeback, almost a miracle, in the 152nd edition of The Open. His three birdies in his first three holes on Sunday left him just two strokes off the lead, but ultimately his comeback fell short. In the end, the Spaniard finished seventh—his best result in a major in 2024—and Xander Schauffele (-9) took the victory.

The Basque golfer reached the 9th hole at -4 for the day, but none of his putts on the back nine, unlike earlier holes, fell. His bogey on the 11th put his hopes on hold, and they faded as the tournament progressed, while some of the early leaders found their rhythm on the always challenging Royal Troon course.

Xander Schauffele ultimately triumphed, delivering a spectacular final-round 65 (-6) without a single bogey. The Californian finished two strokes ahead of England's Justin Rose and the United States' Billy Horschel. This is Schauffele's second major title this year, following his PGA Championship victory, in which he has finished in the top 10 at every major.

For his part, Jorge Campillo (+8) has improved throughout the week and finished with a hard-fought round at even par that must leave him with a good feeling.

One of the best pieces of news this week has been the presence of amateurs Luis Masaveu and Jaime Montojo. Masaveu achieved the feat of making the cut at Royal Troon, finishing with a total of +18 and leaving with the feeling of having been even more solid than his score suggests (he was hampered by the final holes in the last two rounds). Montojo, meanwhile, narrowly missed the cut and had the pleasure of sinking a magnificent eagle on his first hole. Hats off to both of them.

A week 'to survive'‘

Jon Rahm survived a tough opening day at Royal Troon. The Basque golfer weathered the storm on a day made difficult by wind and rain, while amateurs Luis Masaveu and Jaime Montojo made a name for themselves with a phenomenal performance.

The playing conditions were purely Scottish, with unseasonably cold temperatures for this time of July and a wind that took its toll on everyone; Bryson DeChambeau's +5 and Rory McIlroy's +7 are prime examples. “I survived. I made some good putts for par that kept me in the game,” Rahm admitted in the clubhouse.

The following day, on the dreaded cut-off day, Jon Rahm opened a window of opportunity by playing under par. Jorge Campillo and Luis Masaveu also emerged unscathed from a difficult day, both making the cut.

The Basque golfer improved his performance, producing impressive shots such as the one that earned him his first birdie of the day, an approach shot of over forty meters that he sank to the general delight. Only eighteen rounds were under par, and his was one of them (-1), placing him in thirteenth position.

One of the lowest scores of the day (68, -3) was Jorge Campillo's, who seemed out of contention after the first round but earned the right to play over the weekend to continue his climb up the leaderboard. Luis Masaveu, one of the four amateurs who made it through the qualifying rounds, found himself in a similar situation.

Nacho Elvira (+7), Ángel Hidalgo (+11), Jaime Montojo (+13) and David Puig (+13) and Jorge Campillo (+9) were left out.

On the third day, Jon Rahm continued to operate in the upper part of the field, although the idea of a Spanish victory had become almost a pipe dream; six strokes separated the Basque player from the new leader, the American Billy Horschel.

The third round was marked by rain and strong winds that particularly hampered the later groups of the day. Jon Rahm, in those conditions, carded a very solid round with fifteen pars. The outgoing leader, Irishman Shane Lowry, fared worse, suffering five bogeys on the back nine that severely hampered him.

Outstanding performances by Fátima Fernández and Nuria Iturrioz

The week hasn't just been about The Open. Other tours have also produced interesting results for Spanish golf, such as the Twin Bridges Championship on the Epson Tour, where Fátima Fernández finished third with a score of -6.

With rounds of 71, 69 and 67 strokes, the Galician has signed her second consecutive Top 5.

Meanwhile, at the Dutch Ladies Open, part of the Ladies European Tour, Nuria Iturrioz (-6) finished seventh, improving as the tournament progressed. Marta Martín and Luna Sobrón, both at -3, were just one stroke shy of the Top 20.

And in the Euram Bank Open, an Austrian event on the Challenge Tour, Ángel Ayora (-6) from Andalusia finished in twenty-fourth position.

WEEK OF JULY 15-21, 2024

DP World Tour & PGA Tour

The Open (July 18-21)

Royal Troon GC (Ayrshire, Scotland)

Full results

Ladies European Tour

Dutch Ladies Open (July 19-21)

Hilversumsche Golf Club (Netherlands)

Full results

PGA Tour

Barracuda Championship (July 18-21)