Jon Rahm Makes Brutal Claim About What An 18-Handicapper Would Shoot At Royal Birkdale

Jon Rahm at The Open — Jon Rahm doesn't think an 18-handicapper would fare well at The Open

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As the last of the year's four men's Majors, players wouldn’t expect anything less than a stern challenge as they tee it up at The Open.

This year, the tournament comes from Royal Birkdale for the 11th time.

There, as you’d expect, the field will face all the potential pitfalls you’d expect from an Open venue, offering a pure links test with demanding holes, punitive rough and the ever-present chance of wind to add to its already daunting challenges.

One of the favorites to lift the Claret Jug in 2026 is Jon Rahm. The LIV Golfer’s best finish at the Major is a T2 achieved at Royal Troon in 2023, while his only other Open appearance at Royal Birkdale resulted in a T44 nine years ago.

Jon Rahm at The Open at Royal Birkdale — There was frustration for Rahm the last time The Open came from Royal Birkdale

Therefore, it’s safe to say he knows a thing or two about what it takes to navigate the unique challenges presented by The Open – and what Royal Birkdale has in store.

But how would a recreational golfer fare at Royal Birkdale under the same conditions awaiting the field? Let’s just say the Spaniard's not optimistic.

Rahm gave his thoughts on the score an 18-handicapper could hope to shoot to Callaway Golf Europe, and he’s not even confident many would make it past the turn – and that’s even with a more forgiving front nine!

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He said: “I would say most of them would leave after nine. Honestly, there’s no… the front nine you may survive, the rough isn’t as thick as it’s been in the past. You could do OK. I just think a lot of them wouldn’t finish.”

Rahm thinks the wind, in particular, could be the downfall of many 18-handicappers, believing some would struggle to make the green in regulation on at least two of the holes.

He explained: “I mean, some of those holes like 13, it’s just it would be especially… the wind we had today with 13 and 18, 500 yards playing straight into the wind. When pros are hitting driver-two irons, driver-four irons…”

Despite the brutal test of The Open, the average winning score at Royal Birkdale is approximately nine-under-par - around 276 strokes. Meanwhile, last time it was held there, in 2017, Jordan Spieth bettered that by six when he finished on 12-under to lift the Claret Jug.

Jordan Spieth with the Claret Jug — Jordan Spieth shot 268 to win The Open in 2017 at Royal Birkdale

So, what does Rahm think an 18-handicapper would shoot at the par-70, assuming they finished all 18 holes? Needless to say, his answer highlights just how incredible the achievements of those who’ve won The Open at Royal Birkdale have been.

He added: “I would say, so 18, back tees… I mean, nothing shy of 120. We’re going north of that. It’s a very large number.”

What do you think of Rahm's estimation? Let us know in the comments below.

Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.

He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.

Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.

Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.