Jon Rahm reclaimed his place as world primary with victory on the Genesis Invitational in California – which marked his fifth win in a run of 9 tournaments.
The Spaniard carded a two-under 69 in his closing spherical on Sunday to complete 17 underneath and beat American Max Homa by two strokes to win his tenth PGA Tour title.
The win takes Rahm above American Scottie Scheffler, who was 9 pictures adrift, on the prime of the rankings. It’s the 28-year-old’s third PGA Tour victory of 2023. Rahm now has yet one more PGA Tour win than compatriot and idol Seve Ballesteros.
Rahm, who was final ranked at primary in March final yr, held a three-shot lead going into the ultimate spherical on the Riviera Nation Membership however trailed Homa with six holes remaining. Nevertheless, two birdies on the par threes at 14 and 16 moved the Spaniard forward and pars on the ultimate two holes secured the win.
Homa scrambled a par on the final to retain solo second forward of Patrick Cantlay, who posted a final-round 67. Will Zalatoris carded a round-of-the-day 64 to complete in fourth spot forward of Keith Mitchell, whereas Collin Morikawa performed his final three holes in 4 underneath to leap right into a share of sixth with Sahith Theegala.
“That was a troublesome week and a troublesome Sunday,” Rahm mentioned. “Beating Seve, I do know he didn’t play full time on the PGA Tour, and I do know 5 of these wins are majors, however nonetheless, to achieve that milestone of double digit wins is fairly unbelievable. And to do it at a golf course with this legacy, this historical past and hosted by the person himself, Tiger Woods, it’s a real honour.”
Talking about taking again the world no.1 rating, he added: “I’ve gained 5 out of my final 9 begins. I haven’t completed worse than prime seven, and I’ve gained three tournaments already. I don’t want a rating to validate something. I’m having the perfect season of my life and hopefully I can preserve it going.”
Scheffler loses his place as world primary solely per week after profitable the Phoenix Open to interchange Rory McIlroy, who completed in a tie for twenty ninth after a closing 71 on Sunday.
Woods ended his first event in seven months with a final-round 73 to complete on one underneath for the event. “It’s progress, however I didn’t win,” mentioned the 15-time main champion. These accidents nonetheless hinder the 47-year-old, who mentioned his comeback “definitely was somewhat bit harder than I most likely let on”.
Woods defined: “My group has been implausible in getting my physique recovered daily and getting me able to play every day. That’s the exhausting half that I can’t simulate at residence. Even when I performed 4 days at residence, it’s not the identical as adrenaline, it’s not the identical because the system being ramped up like that, the depth, simply the main target that it takes to play at this stage.”
Jon Rahm’s profitable gear
Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond (10.5°)
Fairway woods: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond T (16°, 18°)
Irons: Callaway Apex TCB (4-PW)
Wedges: Callaway Jaws Uncooked (52°, 56°, 60°)
Putter: Odyssey White Sizzling OG Rossie S
Ball: Callaway Chrome Gentle X
