Jon Rahm found his rhythm just in time on Saturday at the World Wide Technology Championship in Mexico, carding a 6-under 66 to accept a two-shot lead into the final round at El Cardonal Golf Club. The Spaniard, who had struggled to get below par through the first 12 holes, turned his round around with four birdies in his final six holes to post a 15-under total and edge ahead of his Ryder Cup teammate Tyrrell Hatton.
Rahm’s comeback began at the par-5 13th, where he rolled in a 20-foot birdie putt after reaching the green in two. He followed with birdies at 15, 16, and 18 to close with a flourish, erasing an early bogey at the second hole and a disappointing stretch through the middle of his round. “I wasn’t striking it cleanly early,” Rahm said after his round. “But I stayed patient, trusted my process, and the putter finally woke up on the back nine. That’s what you need here — mental toughness and a little magic when it counts.”
The Vizcaino, as he’s known in his native Basque Country, entered the day tied for second with Hatton at 9-under but found himself one over through 12 holes after a bogey at the par-3 sixth and a missed birdie chance at the par-4 12th. A par at 12 kept him in contention, but it wasn’t until his approach shot on 13 landed inside 10 feet that the momentum shifted. From there, Rahm played flawless golf, hitting seven of eight greens and converting every birdie look from inside 15 feet.
Hatton, meanwhile, carded a 1-under 71 that included three bogeys and only two birdies, leaving him at 13-under and alone in second place. The Englishman, who had shared the 54-hole lead with Rahm after Friday’s play, admitted he lacked the sharpness needed to match his partner’s surge. “Jon played the last six holes better than anyone I’ve seen all week,” Hatton said. “He deserved it. I just didn’t have enough today.”
The final pairing for Sunday’s conclusion will feature Rahm and Hatton teeing off at 12:40 p.m. Local time (18:40 UTC), continuing their Ryder Cup rivalry in the final group. Behind them, Cameron Smith and Corey Conners are tied for third at 11-under, while 2023 champion Erik van Rooyen lurks at 10-under after a steady 68.
El Cardonal, a Jack Nicklaus-designed course tucked into the foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental near Los Cabos, has played to a scoring average of 70.2 this week, with the par-71 layout rewarding precision off the tee and deft touch around the greens. Rahm’s ability to scramble — he saved par on five of six missed greens on Saturday — proved critical as winds picked up in the afternoon, making ball-striking more challenging.
Statistically, Rahm gained 2.4 strokes on the field with his putting on Saturday, according to ShotLink data, recovering from a -0.3 putting performance through the first two rounds. His ball-striking remained elite, ranking him T2 in strokes gained: tee-to-green for the week. “When the putter gets hot, everything else becomes easier,” Rahm noted. “But you still have to give yourself chances. I did that on the back nine.”
The victory would be Rahm’s third on the PGA Tour this season and his 20th further solidifying his position as one of the game’s elite players. A win in Mexico would also move him to No. 2 in the Official World Golf Ranking, surpassing Scottie Scheffler and trailing only Rory McIlroy. Rahm entered the week ranked third globally.
For Hatton, a second-place finish would still represent a strong week and his best result since a T2 at the 2024 Genesis Invitational. The Englishman has been consistent in 2025, with four top-10 finishes in his last six starts, but has yet to convert near-misses into wins since his 2022 Honda Classic triumph.
Looking ahead, both players are scheduled to compete in the upcoming Masters Tournament in April, where Rahm will defend his 2023 green jacket and Hatton will aim to improve on his T12 finish from last year. The World Wide Technology Championship serves as the final full-field PGA Tour event before the Masters, making it a key tune-up for Augusta National.
As the sun set over the Sea of Cortez and the leaderboard solidified, Rahm’s late surge stood as a reminder of his resilience. After a slow start to the day, he refused to force the issue, instead relying on his short game and mental fortitude to turn the tide. “Golf gives you chances,” he said. “You just have to be ready when they come.”
The final round begins Sunday at 7:30 a.m. Local time (13:30 UTC), with groups sent off in threesomes from both tees. Rahm and Hatton will start on the 10th hole as part of the traditional two-tee start, with their round expected to conclude around 2:00 p.m. Local time (20:00 UTC).
For live updates, leaderboard tracking, and post-round analysis, visit the PGA Tour’s official website or follow @PGATOUR on social media. Archysport will provide continuous coverage throughout the day, including a full recap and video highlights after the final putt drops.
What does this mean for Rahm’s Masters defense? A win here would give him immense confidence heading into Augusta, where he’s won once and finished T4 in 2022. More immediately, it extends his lead in the FedExCup standings, where he currently ranks fourth — a victory would likely jump him into the top two.
Will Hatton bounce back? His putting has been inconsistent this week, ranking him 120th in strokes gained: putting for the tournament. If he can regain his touch on the greens, he remains dangerous — especially if Rahm falters under the pressure of a closing lead.
As the players prepare for Sunday’s climax, one thing is clear: the battle between these two Ryder Cup stars has delivered exactly what fans hoped for — drama, quality, and a finish worth waiting for.
Stay tuned to Archysport for the final round update, and share your thoughts in the comments below. Did Rahm’s back-nine surge surprise you? What’s your pick to win?
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