The Spanish golfer won his first Masters on Sunday and regained his place as world number one.
The Spaniard Jon Rahm won, on Sunday April 9, the first Grand Slam golf tournament of the year, the Augusta Masters. This victory allows him to become number one in the world rankings again at the expense of the defending champion, Scottie Scheffler. Rahm wins his eleventh PGA trophy and his first Masters, he who opened his Grand Slam counter in 2021 with the US Open. “I’m really proud of myself”rejoiced Rahm, who did not believe his eyes when he learned that he became the first European to win the Masters and the US Open.
The 28-year-old Spaniard returned a card of 69 (3 under par) on Sunday, with four birdies and a bogey, and finished the tournament at 12 under par, four strokes ahead of his two pursuers, the Americans Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson (-8), both representatives of the dissident circuit LIV.
4th Spaniard winner in Augusta
Koepka, who led the race throughout the tournament, collapsed in the 4th round, with six bogeys, while Mickelson made an impressive comeback, with no less than eight birdies on the last lap. Rahm, who has already won three other PGA titles in 2023, becomes the fourth Spaniard to sport the famous green blazer, following Seve Ballesteros, Sergio Garcia and Jose Maria Olazabal, who congratulated his compatriot on the 18th hole.
“For me, it’s incredibly meaningful to win on the day of his 40th anniversary of victory, on his birthday and on Easter Sunday.”Rahm said, speaking of his idol Ballesteros, who would have celebrated his 66th birthday on Sunday. “I can’t find the words“, added Rahm almost in tears. The Spaniard will start his 47th week at the top of the world rankings, thus equaling Koepka. “I never panicked, Rahm said. I felt comfortable and that’s all I can do.”
The defending champion, the American Scottie Scheffler, slightly missed his Masters, finishing in 10th place (284, -4). His compatriot, legend Tiger Woods, retired before Sunday’s restart due to a foot injury.
