Jon Rahm Finds Perspective After PGA Collapse, Thanks to Charles Barkley
Jon Rahm’s performance at the PGA Championship ended in heartbreak, especially on the final stretch at Quail Hollow. His last three holes—known as the brutal “Green Mile”—saw him post a painful 5‑5‑6, derailing what could have been a career-defining moment. But the real sting wasn’t just the scorecard. It was the emotional blow of falling short when it mattered most. In the aftermath, it wasn’t a coach or fellow pro who helped him process the disappointment—it was Charles Barkley.
Barkley, who left a late-night NBA broadcast to tee off in Alabama at sunrise with Nick Saban and Stewart Cink, has turned his love for golf into a personal mission. For Rahm, Barkley’s wisdom was the unexpected lifeline. After the tournament, Rahm revealed that Barkley’s simple yet profound reminder helped him get out of his own head: “It’s just basketball.” The message? No matter how big the moment or how bitter the loss, life moves on.
While Scottie Scheffler stole the spotlight with a commanding win—closing the tournament at 11-under and claiming his first PGA Championship title—the focus soon shifted to Rahm’s raw honesty. Despite coming into the final round within striking distance, Rahm couldn’t hold on and was left to confront a tough finish. But instead of sinking into regret, he admitted he needed to shake it off and move forward.
Charles Barkley’s own career has had its share of painful moments. He often recalls losing a playoff lead to Michael Jordan’s Bulls in 1993—a series that haunted him. He confessed to losing sleep over it, staying awake for more than a day in frustration. But rather than let that loss define him, he rebounded by winning NBA MVP that same season. That kind of mental resilience is what Rahm drew from.
“I am a bit embarrassed about how I finished,” Rahm said post-round. “But I just need to get over it. It’s not the end of the world.” That perspective, deeply influenced by Barkley’s own journey, grounded him in the reality that even champions falter—but it’s how they respond that matters.
Barkley’s connection to golf isn’t just talk. He’s immersed in the sport, even offering predictions ahead of the championship. He confidently backed Rory McIlroy to win, citing his regained confidence and recent form. But perhaps more revealing than his picks is Barkley’s personal evolution in golf.
His swing once drew laughs—full of hesitation, tension, and awkward mechanics. At one point, he admitted to being so mentally blocked that he couldn’t even break 100 on the course, despite once playing under 80. The transformation began when he teamed up with coach Stan Utley in 2018. Utley, blunt in his assessment, described Barkley’s swing as one of the worst he had seen—but also saw potential. With a simple instruction to “cast the club,” Utley helped Barkley reset his swing and mindset.
It didn’t make him perfect overnight, but it restored his rhythm and confidence. Now, Barkley plays for joy, no longer tormented by past struggles. His story mirrors what Rahm is experiencing—proof that passion and persistence can overcome even the roughest patches.
In the end, Barkley’s journey serves as more than inspiration—it’s a blueprint. For Rahm, it was the reminder he needed that setbacks don’t last forever, and that the path to greatness is paved with both failure and resilience.