Rahm Rejoices Joining Seve As A Triple Spanish Open Champion

3 years ago by Comments Off on Rahm Rejoices Joining Seve As A Triple Spanish Open Champion

An emotional Jon Rahm has brilliantly matched the triple Spanish Open winning efforts of boyhood hero Seve Ballesteros with success in his national Open title for a third time.

Rahm produced a last day masterclass that would have had Seve smiling proudly, storming to victory by six shots in posting a sizzling closing nine-under 62 for a 25-under tallly on the Club de Campo course in Madrid where in 1995 Seve also captured a third Spanish Open crown and also a 50th and final Tour title.

The new World No. 5 ranked Rahm made it a goal at the start of the week to add three Spanish Open titles to his golfing CV, after winning back-to-back in 2018 and 2019, and while Seve did it at age 48, Rahm has achieved the feat at age 27.

It was also DP World Tour win No. 5 for Rahm, achieving the effort in 62 events while Seve managed the same number of Tour victories in just 61 events

Rahm said: “It might be better to ask me in a few days as I take quite a while to process this win but it was a goal coming into this week to win this tournament three times.

“Seve is a great hero of mine and to match something that it took his whole career to achieve in just a few years is quite humbling.  I understand it might not be the strongest field I play in all year but sometimes this can be the hardest tournament to win as I am at home, and I am suppose to win and with everyone betting on me to win.

“It’s also hard to describe my lowest round out here.  It was pretty much a perfect week and it would be better if my wife and kids were here but I’m glad I have won the tournament as I do have a lot of family here to celebrate with.”

Indeed there was a standing ovation for Rahm as he strode up the last green and there to congratulate was his parents and also a proud grandmother, who’s been a regular sight also on the sidelines in the States, cheering on his grandson.

Frenchman Matthieu Pavon was a distant second signing for a closing 65 for his 19-under tally.

RAHM – With This Victory

* An eighth DP World Tour victory in his 62nd appearance
* A 15th professional worldwide victory
* A third Spanbish Open victory having won in 2018 and 2019, equalling the late Seve Ballesteros’ record of three victories at his home open (1981, 1985 and 1995)
* Wins at the same Club de Campo course in Madrid where Ballesteros claimed his third title in 1995, and his final Tour victory of the 50 amassed across his career
* Is the second fastest Spanish player to win eight events on the DP World Tour, in only one event more than Ballesteros who won three in 61 starts
* Is the 11th time a player from Spain has won their national open since joining the DP World Tour schedule in 1972
* Four of the past Spanish Open winners have been from Spain
* Is it Rahm’s first win on the DP World Tour since securing his maiden Major Championship at the U.S. Open in 2021, one year and 111 days ago
* Moves to 10th on the DP World Tour Rankings in Partnership with Rolex on 1,703 points, up from 18th
* Moves to fifth in the Official World Golf ranking, up from sixth.

* It is fifth time Rahm has led after 54-holes. He has won 3 times from 54-hole leads. His last win from a 54-hole lead was the 2019 DPWT Championship.

*He won the 2019 Open de España from a 54-hole lead

* Is the fourth Spanish-born player to have won in the 2022 DP World Tour season, following Pablo Larrazábal at the MyGolfLife Open hosted by Pecanwood and ISPS Handa Championship in Spain and Adri Arnaus at the Catalunya Championship

* The win is the 199th DP World Tour win by a player from Spain, with the country third behind USA (254) and England (361) on the list of DP World Tour wins by country

 

 



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