It seems a lifetime ago now that the world had to deal with the struggles of Covid-19 but now in 2025, we can look back on some of the truly bizarre moments it caused.

For all the worldwide struggle and obvious heartbreak for families, the sporting world was one of the most affected areas outside of personal situations.

Sporting institutions around the world such as the NBA, Premier League and the PGA Tour, all had to close down and then, on re-opening, adapt their procedures.

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For the PGA Tour, that meant implementing strict test procedures and for one of the top players in the world at the time, Jon Rahm, it proved a nightmare.

Rahm was forced to withdraw from The Memorial in 2021 when leading by six shots, with contact trace testing meaning he had to pull out.

However, what Rahm did next proved just why he’s very much one of the best golfers of the modern generation.

Jon Rahm’s US Open win in 2021 cemented his legacy

As we know, Rahm went on to win the Masters in 2023 and now a two-time major winner and top dog on LIV Golf, he’s very much one of the best of the modern era.

However, it was Rahm’s form in 2021 and what he did after his withdrawal at The Memorial that really shot him to stardom.

Rahm’s lead of six at The Memorial and subsequent withdrawal just weeks prior to the US Open in ’21 was heart breaking stuff.

In the end, the Spaniard’s exit allowed Patrick Cantlay to see off Collin Morikawa in a playoff to win out.

However, Rahm wouldn’t let it bother him too much and just a few weeks later, he came roaring back at the US Open at Torrey Pines.

In a blockbuster finish, Rahm went into the final round some three shots back of the leading group and one shot behind the giant duo of Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy.

But Rahm, spurred on by his withdrawal at The Memorial, produced one of his best final rounds in recent memory to claw his way back into the tournament and get in contention.

In true Rahm fashion, he birdied both 17 and 18 to put the pressure on Louis Oosthuizen, who needed an eagle on 18 to match Rahm. The South African, though, couldn’t find what he needed and settled for yet another runner-up spot in a major as Rahm triumphed.

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What Jon Rahm said about his US Open win in 2021

Everyone knows that Jon Rahm wears his heart on his sleeve and the raw emotion he showed in winning at Torrey Pines is something that sticks in the memory.

His first major win was hard earned to say the least and to top it off, he had his family around him to witness it. Something that wasn’t lost on Rahm.

“It’s hard to explain how I feel. Maybe tomorrow or in a couple of days I will realise ‘Oh my God, what just happened?,” Rahm commented (BBC).

“What happened a couple of weeks was unfortunate, it was out of my control – but what I could control was my thought process and staying positive.

“To have my parents here, and Kelly and our little boy Kepa, and Kelly’s parents too, I mean the whole family is here, it’s hard to explain. The only thing that could be better is if my brother and his little girl, who turned a year old a couple of days ago and who I haven’t met yet, could have been here.”

With Rahm now dominating on LIV Golf, seeing him back competing in majors is what we all want next.

In 2026, the Spaniard could well be one to watch.