"Rory McIlroy choke was worse"; "He ain't wrong" - Fans divided as analyst dubs Jon Rahm’s Olympics loss 'one of the biggest chokes of the year'

Fans on social media were divided after Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee described Jon Rahm's loss at the Olympics as "one of the biggest chokes of the year." The Spanish golfer was tied for the lead with Xander Schauffele after the third round of the Paris Olympics 2024.

In the final round on Sunday, August 4, Rahm started smoothly on the front nine but struggled on the back nine, costing him a medal. Chamblee, a strong supporter of the PGA Tour since the inception of LIV Golf, commented on the 29-year-old's performance and labeled it one of the biggest collapses this year.

Nuclr Golf shared a clip of Chamblee's interview on X (formerly Twitter), in which he said:

"I’m gonna put that down as one of the biggest collapses, chokes of the year. Right up there with Rory McIlroy at the U.S. Open.”

Fans were divided on Chamblee's assessment. Some argued that Rory McIlroy's loss at the US Open earlier this year was the biggest choke, while others agreed with the analyst.

"Rory choke was worse but this was a major collapse by Rahm. Golf is hard," a fan wrote.

For the unversed, McIlroy was close to winning the US Open in 2024 but struggled on the back nine, making three bogeys on the concluding holes, and lost by just one stroke to Bryson DeChambeau.

"He ain't Wrong," another fan commented.

Meanwhile, another fan suggested that since joining LIV Golf, Rahm's game has suffered.

"Rahm plays on exhibition golf at the behest of Saudi billionaires. Hope he enjoys the money. His golf career is effectively over. 39 on the back none. SMH. Its sad to watch," another fan wrote.

Yet one fan defended Jon Rahm.

"Really, choke? Brandel couldn't beat Rory or Rahm on his best day. Even the big boys have bad stretches of holes. Sometimes it happens on the back nine, the final day. It's golf," a fan commented.

Brandel Chamblee played golf professionally before embarking on his career as a golf analyst. He won four professional tournaments and achieved his highest ranking of 58th in the Official World Golf Rankings.

Here are more fans reactions:

Fans reactions (Image via X/@NUCLRGOLF)

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A look into Jon Rahm's performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Jon Rahm had a great start to his 2024 Paris Olympics campaign. Entering the tournament with confidence just a week after winning his maiden LIV Golf event in the UK, Rahm had his sights set on winning an Olympic medal for his country. He shot 67 in the first round.

His good form continued in the second round with a score of 66, followed by another round of 66. Even on the final day (Sunday), he started well. Rahm made five birdies on the front nine in the fourth round. However, he encountered major trouble on the back nine.

Jon Rahm carded a birdie on the par-4 tenth hole, which was followed by back-to-back bogeys on the 11th and 12th holes. On the 14th hole, he made a double bogey. The former World No. 1 added a birdie on the 16th but it was followed by two more bogeys, resulting in a score of 70. Jon Rahm slipped four positions after the final round, securing a tie for fifth place with Rory McIlroy.