Rahm Admits A Woods Putting Tip Leads To Four-Shot Hero World Challenge Success

5 years ago by Comments Off on Rahm Admits A Woods Putting Tip Leads To Four-Shot Hero World Challenge Success

Albany, Bahamas ….

Jon Rahm admitted a putting tip from tournament host, Tiger Woods helped in storming his way to a four-shot success in the Hero World Challenge

Rahm, 24 was never challenged over the final round in shooting a bogey-free 65 for a 20-under par tally on the Albany course.

The win is Rahm’s third success this season and a seventh victory in his short two-year pro career and in the process sees Rahm move to a career high of No. 6 on the World Rankings.

Rahm had shared the lead on both day two and day three and capped his closing round with three birdies in four holes from the sixth while his 25 birdies over the four round translates into a $6,250 donation to the ‘California Wildfire Appeal’.

Last September, Rahm was first overawed to be drawn in the Ryder Cup Sunday Singles against boyhood idol Woods and he delivered Europe their much-needed first point with what was a very emotional 2 & 1 triumph over Woods.

Now two months later Rahm has his name on Woods’ Hero World Challenge trophy.

“That Sunday with Tiger is one of the most emotional, most important moments in my golf career,” said Rahm.

“I started crying when I was shaking his hand because that meant so much to me to play against Tiger Woods.

“A couple of months later to win his event, his Foundation’s event along with Hero, this is really special. I grew up watching all those events and watching Tiger win how many times in a row.”

And it was putting tip last August on the practice green at East Lake Golf, and ahead of Woods capturing an 80th PGA Tour victory, helped his become the first Spanish winner of the Hero World Challenge.

“When we were at East Lake Tiger was putting next to me and I asked him, and because I am not the best putter on Bermuda grass, that I just can’t putt on Bermuda as I had grown-up in Spain on Poanna,” said Rahm.

“Tiger kind of laughed at me and said it’s all about feel or whatever (smiling) and out there in presenting me the trophy he said, ‘Hey, that’s a pretty good performance from someone who can’t putt on Bermuda green’

“I did say to him, ‘My man you should look at my stats as it’s all to do with ball-striking’.

“So, he was great making a couple of jokes and it’s just been great to be around him at the Ryder Cup and to play against him was the best moment of my golf career and even though I won, I think he respects me so much more as a golfer given the way I handled myself that day.”

American Tony Finau holed a dramatic 15-footer for birdie at the last in a score of 69 for second place at 16-under and in the process denying local resident Justin Rose from returning to World No. 1.

Rose, who eagled 15 in a last round 65 had been sharing second place in 15-under par and the assurance of again becoming World No. 1 only for Finau to put that rug out from under the Englishman.

“It’s not a huge goal for me to be No. 1, but when you have these opportunities you want to take them,” said Rose.

“I have other goals next season rather than focussing on the No. 1 spot.  The No.1 spot’s always a by-product of achieving probably your other goals.”

 

 

 

 

 



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