Jon Rahm told his 22-year-old teammate Caleb Surratt that playing his first major at Shinnecock Hills would be very difficult. But Surratt proved him wrong by making the cut, while Rahm did not. 

Surratt made the cut in his first-ever major championship at the 2026 U.S. Open. Rahm, however, struggled in the second round and finished outside the cut line. 

Rahm had spoken to the press about Surratt's debut earlier this month in a video shared by Chris McKee on X.

"Let's be honest, your first ever major being in Shinnecock Hills is going to be a rude awakening," Rahm said. "I honestly don't think he can. I can't even begin to make him understand what that week's going to be like. The week is, it's so unique."

He pointed to last year's Open as a reference point: "I don't think he's ever been a part of a tournament in which nobody ever has finished on their par like last year was open. That line was nine over par."

Rahm's own week unraveled in much the way he'd described. He posted a 2-under 68 in the opening round, finishing tied for fifth. The second round went sideways fast.

The Spanish golfer opened with three straight pars, bogeyed the fourth, birdied the fifth, then carded back-to-back bogeys at six and seven. He made the turn at 2-over 37, still inside the cut line.

The back nine ended his week. Four consecutive bogeys hit at Nos. 12 through 15, including a three-putt at the par-4 13th.

The 16th hole sealed it. His drive found a fairway bunker. His second shot found another bunker. His third landed in a greenside bunker, and his fourth failed to escape it. He finally reached the green on his fifth shot and two-putted for a double-bogey seven, signing for a 78.

Rahm entered the week with the third-shortest odds to win, behind only Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. He won't get another shot at a major until the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in mid-July.

Rahm watched Caleb Surratt's journey up close

Rahm detailed Surratt's path before the tournament even began.

"He's played that qualifier in Dallas a few times," Rahm said. "I think in the last two years, he's played good and just come up short. So I know he was devastated when he bogeyed his last hole and thought he was out. And then he got in and ended up earning another playoff."

Rahm said Surratt has grown a lot through his travels with LIV Golf. Before joining the league, Surratt had only traveled outside the United States once, on a trip to Scotland.

Since then, he has visited many countries, experienced different cultures, and gained valuable life experience away from the golf course. 

Rahm believes Surratt's best golf is still ahead of him. While Surratt showed flashes of his talent with a strong performance at JCB last year, Rahm said he can achieve much more as he continues to develop his game. 

Do you think Caleb Surratt's U.S. Open debut signals a breakout season ahead? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Ankita Yadav