Powerhouse Jon Rahm is set to become the first Spaniard in 70-years to successfully defend the Spanish Open.
Rahm, 24 stormed his way to a commanding five-shot lead thanks to a sizzling third round 63 for a 17-under par total on the Club de Campo course in Madrid.
The World No. 5 went out in one-under but then stormed to the front in playing holes 10 to 16 in seven-under par, and including holing his second shot at the short par-4 16th for an eagle ‘2’.
Not since Marcelino Morcillo in 1948 and 1949 has a Spanish-born golfer won back-to-back national open titles.
Rahm is also chasing a ninth pro career success and a second this season after earlier this year winning a second Irish Open title in three years.
The US-based Rahm has spoke often of all Spanish golfers walking a path created for them by the late, great Seve Ballesteros and Rahm could reach five European Tour victories in 10 fewer events than his hero at the venue where Ballesteros claimed his 50th and final European Tour victory 24 years ago in 1995.
Rahm said: “I’ve never teed up with such a lead. Every time I’ve teed off it’s been a one shot lead or tied for the lead so it’s going to be a little bit of a different story.
“I don’t know what the challenge is going to be. I have a real good chance to defend this title, I’m feeling good so hopefully I can keep doing what I’ve been doing.
“It’s just one of those days where everything was going good for me on that back nine.”
Fellow Spaniards Rafa Cabrera-Bello (70) and Samuel Del Val (69) share second place on a distant 12-under par
