Rahm reflects on a special Sunday, but not the one you think
Jon Rahm racked up his sixth professional victory on Sunday, beating a high class field by four shots at the Hero World Challenge, but he’s still living down memory lane.
The Spaniard started the day tied with Tony Finau and Henrik Stenson for the lead but pulled away and carded a final round 65, enough to receive his third PGA Tour trophy.
As part of the Tiger Woods Foundation, Woods was on hand during the ceremony on the 18th green to hand Rahm the Tiger-esque trophy. While it was special, for Rahm, it pales in comparison to his experience at the Ryder Cup.
In the Sunday singles at Le Golf National, Rahm beat his childhood idol Woods on the 17th hole, cuing a flood of emotions. The 24-year-old is still living in that moment.
“That Sunday with Tiger is still the most emotionally, most important moment of my golf career,” the Basque Country native told the press in Albany.
“It means so much to play against Tiger. A couple months later, to win his event, it’s really special.”
"It's an honor to win an event related to Tiger Woods."
— @JonRahmPGA#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/798ij6MukP
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 2, 2018
Key to Rahm’s victory in the Bahamas was his ball-striking, as he was third in the field in terms of fairways hit and tied for fourth for green in regulation. He was also cool under pressure on Sunday afternoon, finding the green on 12 of his last 13 holes.
“Arguably the best ball-striking day I’m ever going to have – even better than Friday,” said Rahm, who posted a 63 on Friday that was the lowest round of the week.
Rahm’s victory moves him to sixth in the world rankings with Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose and world number one Brooks Koepka ahead of him.
Latest
-
European TourShane Lowry closing in on wire-to-wire win in Abu Dhabi
Shane Lowry stands on the brink of a big victory after taking a three-shot lead into the final round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
-
The 19th HoleBryson DeChambeau shares touching letter from young fan
Bryson DeChambeau took to social media recently to share a heartwarming letter he’d received from a young fan he met in Hawaii.
-
US TourMickelson shoots lowest round of career to lead Desert Classic
Phil Mickelson could hardly have asked for a better start to the year after shooting a career-low 12-under-par 60 at the Desert Classic.
-
LPGA TourHenderson and Li share lead at LPGA season opener in Florida
Brooke Henderson and Eun-Hee Ji share a one-shot lead at the LPGA’s season-opening Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions.
-
NewsOlazabal honoured with PGAs of Europe Lifetime Achievement Award
Ryder Cup legend and two-time Masters Champion José María Olazábal is the latest recipient of the PGAs of Europe Lifetime Achievement Award.
-
CoursesLa Manga Club makes 20 per cent offer to families
Families looking to escape the British winter for some sporting action under sunny skies over February half-term can enjoy discounts.
-
European TourLowry stays in front as Oosthuizen and Westwood close in
Shane Lowry still leads the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at the halfway mark, but there are some big names chasing him down.
-
US TourTiger Woods to make 2019 debut at Torrey Pines
Tiger Woods has confirmed he will once again start his year at the Farmers Insurance Open, where he has won seven times before.
-
US TourWorld No 1 ranking is business as usual for Justin Rose
Justin Rose says he won’t be bogged down by the World No 1 ranking when he makes 2019 debut at this week’s PGA Tour’s Desert Classic.
-
European TourShane Lowry goes low to lead the way in Abu Dhabi
Shane Lowry has a three shot lead after the opening round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Wednesday.