Jon Rahm has had countless tournaments where he finished better than his U.S. Open debut in 2016.

But being the low amateur that week at Oakmont Country Club helped introduce the young Spaniard to the golf world.

“At that point, it was getting the test of a U.S. Open,” said Rahm, who tied for 23rd at 7-over-par that week. “I think naively, not knowing what to expect, helped. I just thought, oh, this is what a U.S. Open is like. I didn’t know it was the top tier of difficulty of a U.S. Open. It’s just like this week to week. It was great.

“It’s funny, after I went here and I went to Congressional, I was like, oh, this place is easy. It’s a piece of cake compared to what we played last week.”

Rahm shot an opening-round 76 before rebounding with a 69 to make the cut. Then, on the weekend, he shot 72-70.

Though he had posted two top-10s before on tour, that U.S. Open proved to be a confidence boost for Rahm. After missing U.S. Open cuts in 2017 and ’18, he tied for third at Pebble Beach in 2019.

“It helped that I played really good that week, and even in the first round I had a double and triple and it cost me a lot,” he said. “Having to go out Saturday morning after sitting out all day Friday (because of rain) and knowing I had to shoot a low score to make the cut and doing it and shooting 1-under was a huge deal.

“To finish that high was a massive confidence booster in many ways. When I approached a tough golf course, which I did the week after that, I had the confidence that I could get it done.”

The two-time major champion is now riding a streak of 21 consecutive top-10 finishes while playing on the LIV Tour and is considered one of the top contenders this week.

He rose to No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking after winning the 2021 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines and also captured the 2023 Masters.

He shot 3-under to tie for 10th in 2023 at the U.S. Open at The Los Angeles Country Club.

Before turning pro, Rahm, 30, was a two-time winner of the Ben Hogan Award, given to the best amateur golfer.

He has won 22 tournaments as a pro.

He’s hoping to put all that experience to use this week at Oakmont.

“It’s a place that, I think, every time you come … it never ceases to amaze, in the sense of the history, the old-school feel of the clubhouse,” he said. “Then the golf course in itself with some new changes that still maintains the essence of what it’s all about and what Oakmont is. Extreme challenge.

“Even when you just stand on the putting green, seeing the whole property, you know you’re somewhere special. It’s quite iconic. It’s one of those things that makes it a great venue and a great championship.”

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