An emotional Jon Rahm has brilliantly matched the triple Spanish Open winning efforts of boyhood hero Seve Ballesteros in winning his national Open title for a third time.
Rahm produced a last day masterclass that would have had Seve proudly smiling, storming to victory by six shots in posting a sizzling closing nine-under par 62 for a 25-under tally on the Club de Campo course in Madrid. The same venue where in 1995 Seve also captured a third Spanish Open crown and a 50th and final Tour title.
The new World No. 5 ranked Rahm made it a goal at the start of the week to add a third Spanish Open title to his golfing CV, after winning back-to-back in 2018 and 2019, and while Seve did it at age 48, Rahm has achieved the feat at age 27.
It was also DP World Tour win No. 5 for Rahm, achieving the effort in 62 events while Seve managed the same number of Tour victories in just 61 events
Rahm said: “It might be better to ask me in a few days as I’ll take quite a while to process this win, but it was a goal coming into this week to win this tournament three times.
“Seve is a great hero of mine and to match something that it took his whole career to achieve in just a few years is quite humbling. I understand it might not be the strongest field I play in all year but sometimes this can be the hardest tournament to win as I am at home and I am supposed to win and with everyone betting on me to win.
“It’s also hard to describe my lowest round out here. It was pretty much a perfect week and it would be better if my wife and kids were here but I’m glad I have won the tournament as I do have a lot of family here to celebrate with.”
Indeed, there was a standing ovation for Rahm as he strode up the last green and there to congratulate were his parents and also a proud grandmother, who’s been a regular sight also on the sidelines in the States, cheering on her grandson.
Frenchman Matthieu Pavon was a distant second, signing for a closing 65 for his 19-under tally.
Paul Dunne led home the Irish and closed out his week with a round of 70 for his share of 48th place at five-under and two less than Clandeboye’s Jonathan Caldwell, signing for a four-under 67 for his share of 57th at three-under.
RAHM – With his 8th DP World Tour victory he now claims:
• A 15th professional worldwide victory
• A third Spanish Open victory having won in 2018 and 2019, equalling the late Seve Ballesteros’ record of three victories at his home open (1981, 1985 and 1995)
• Wins at the same Club de Campo course in Madrid where Ballesteros claimed his third title in 1995, and his final Tour victory of the 50 amassed across his career
• The second fastest Spanish player to win eight events on the DP World Tour, in only one event more than Ballesteros who won three in 61 starts
• The 11th time a player from Spain has won their national open since joining the DP World Tour schedule in 1972
• His first win on the DP World Tour since securing his maiden Major Championship at the U.S. Open in 2021, one year and 111 days ago
• Moves to 10th on the DP World Tour Rankings in Partnership with Rolex on 1,703 points, up from 18th
• Moves to fifth in the Official World Golf ranking, up from sixth.
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