Genesis Invitational: Jon Rahm pips Max Homa in final-round thriller to secure world No 1 return | Golf News

Jon Rahm leapfrogs Scottie Scheffler as world No 1 after claiming a two-shot victory in California; Rahm’s win was his third PGA Tour win of the year and fifth in nine starts worldwide; Tiger Woods shot a final-round 73 for a 45th-round finish in his return from injury

Jon Rahm earned his return to world No. 1 after coming through a thrilling final round battle with Max Homa to claim a dramatic victory at the Genesis Invitational.

The Spaniard took a three-shot lead into the final round at Riviera Country Club but trailed Homa with six holes to play, only to advance with brilliant birdies on two par-threes on the back nine.

Rahm holed from 45 feet on the 14th and inches away from the hole-in-one on the 16th to go to the 17th, with pars over the two closing holes enough to complete a two-under 69 and win two-shot over. Home.

Jon Rahm mixed five birdies with three bogeys during the final round in California

The win was Rahm’s 10th PGA Tour title and fifth in nine starts around the world, with his latest success being enough to overtake Scottie Scheffler – who ended the week tied for 12th – at the top of the world rankings.

How Rahm holds Homa in Riviera thriller

Rahm almost made an eagle chip-in from the open green and tapped in to match the birdie from Homa, who almost holed his approach from the second fairway after having to pitch out from behind a tree.

A two-shot swing at the third saw Rahm run from the back of the green and then produce an awkward chip to set up a two-putt bogey, allowing Homa to move to one of the lead by rolling in a 10-foot birdie.

The pair both exchanged pars over the next three holes, with Rahm dropping a birdie look from 10 feet at the sixth, with the Spaniard then converting from five feet at the next to match Homa’s birdie.

Homa failed to get up from the back of the green on the eighth, where a brilliant approach from Rahm set up a kick-in birdie to restore the overnight cushion, although the American responded by making a 15-footer next to it. reach the last two turns.

Jon Rahm mixed five birdies with three bogeys during the final round

Rahm made a mess on the maneuverable par-four 10th hole when he followed up a stray drive and a poor chip from the trees by hitting a chip into the sand en route to a bogey-five, as Homa two-putted from 80 feet for birdie and par from lead.

Homa missed a six-foot birdie chance at the par-five 11th but temporarily moved to a solo advantage when Rahm made a three-putt bogey at the next, only to hit a tee shot into the tree when he bogeyed the 13th to join his playing partner at 15 under.

Rahm made a stunning 45-foot birdie at the par-four 14th and followed up a key par-save on the next with a tee shot on the par-three 16th to within tap-in distance, moving him two in front with two to play. , as Homa failed to find a birdie through the closing five holes.

Homa scrambled an improbable par at the end to hold off a solo double ahead of Patrick Cantlay, who posted a final-round 67, while Rahm made two birdies from the edge to complete his third win of 2023.

Will Zalatoris carded a round-of-the-day 64 to finish in fourth place ahead of Keith Mitchell, while Collin Morikawa played the last three holes in four under to jump into a share of sixth with Sahith Theegala.

Rory McIlroy ended a frustrating week tied for 29th after a level-par 71 on Sunday, as Tiger Woods marked his first non-major appearance since October 2020 by carding a two-over 73 to finish tied for 45th.

Rahm revels in breaking Ballesteros record

Rahm’s latest win was the 10th of his PGA Tour career, seeing him break the record of hero and compatriot Seve Ballesteros, with the win also enough to put the 28-year-old at world No.1 for the fifth time in his career.

Jon Rahm claimed an impressive victory at the Genesis Invitational

“I can explain the fatigue right now because it was a tough week and a tough Sunday,” Rahm said after the win. “Max (Homa) battled there and Patrick (Cantlay) gave us a scare, so I’m glad we got to the end.

“I know him [Seve Ballesteros] not playing the PGA Tour full-time and I know five of them are majors, but still to reach the milestone of double-digit wins is pretty incredible. To do on a golf course with this heritage, this history and hosted by the man himself, Tiger Woods, is a true honor. I can’t really explain it.”

What’s next?

The PGA Tour heads to PGA National next for the Honda Classic, which begins on Thursday and marks the start of the ‘Florida Swing’. Preliminary coverage begins live on Thursday at 1.30pm on Sky Sports Golf, before full coverage from 7pm.

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