PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — Leading by three strokes heading into the final round, Spaniard Jon Rahm navigated the Riviera Country club course on Sunday to claim the 10th victory of his career and become the new world No. 1.
Rahm handled the pressure on Sunday, despite a few midday mistakes, and turned in a 69 to secure his Genesis Open victory over American Max Homa with a 17-under par. Rahm has won five of his last nine international tournaments and he already has three triumphs this season on the PGA Tour.
“It’s pretty amazing to get my 10th win. To achieve this feat on a golf course with such a rich history and in a tournament hosted by Tiger Woods is an honor,” Rahm reported minutes after his victory. »
In the final round, Rahm birdied five. He was able to find his rhythm in the last five holes, after seeing Homa take the lead on the 12th hole. Bogeys on the 10th hole and then the 12th hole left Rahm in a precarious position, but he reclaimed his throne two holes later.
“After the 12th hole, I repeated to myself that even if it was a mistake on my part, it is a very difficult golf course on the last holes. I figured if I could finish the last five holes under par, I had a chance. When you are in this position, you have to find the positive. »
As for Homa, he delivered a card of 68 to finish alone in second place. Homa had only two bogeys and had five birdies in his day. Patrick Cantlay entered the title challenge with a round of 67, but finished third.
“I’m exhausted, it was a tough week and a tough day. Max did well on the greens and Patrick gave us a little scare,” said Rahm.
Eyes were mostly on Tiger Woods at the Riviera Country club this week, as he took part in his first tournament in six months. Despite a more difficult final round, Woods will still be able to say mission accomplished as he was able to offer good golf, in addition to completing the four rounds of a tournament for the first time since the Masters Tournament. in 2022. Woods moved up to 45th, one stroke over par.
After posting his best tournament score since 2020 on Saturday, the fourth round was more difficult for Woods, who had to settle for a score of 73, two strokes over par. The 47-year-old American bogeyed five times on Sunday and had three birdies.
“My game is fine. I made a few mistakes here and there and struggled to adapt to the speed of the greens, but I think I hit the ball well. Walking from point A to point B has always been the difficulty, but I am grateful to my team for the preparation every day to allow me to be able to play,” admitted Woods after his round.
Woods had a more difficult passage between the 5e and the 12e hole, while he scored four eight-hole bogeys on his card.
As he mentioned earlier in the week, Woods is now in preparation mode for the 87e edition of the Masters Tournament.
“I don’t know when the next tournament I’m going to play will be. My goal is to play all the majors. I won’t play many tournaments other than the majors. My body, my back and my leg do not allow me to do this. Last season I was able to play three of the four majors. I hope to be able to play them all this season. »
Canadian Adam Svensson shot 69 to finish 9th.
