Jon Rahm wins Tiger Woods' Genesis Invitational to move back to World No.1
Jon Rahm captures a fifth victory in his last nine worldwide starts.
Jon Rahm has continued his blistering run of form by clinching the Genesis Invitational hosted by Tiger Woods to move back to World No.1.
It marks an incredible fifth victory for Rahm in his last nine worldwide starts, and a 10th career title on the PGA Tour.
The 28-year-old Spaniard wins a whopping $3.6 million for winning the latest elevated event on the circuit.
Rahm took a three-shot lead into the final round at Riviera but he was caught by Max Homa heading into the back nine following a birdie-bogey swing on the short par-4 10th.
But Rahm bounced back quickly when draining a mammoth 45-foot putt for birdie on the par-3 14th to edge back in front.
Roars for Rahm @JonRahmPGA is back on top @TheGenesisInv. pic.twitter.com/nPiUxEWSO0
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 19, 2023
@JonRahmPGA is RIDICULOUS!
Nearly an ace and the closest of the day on 16. pic.twitter.com/As1nKRfeaD— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 19, 2023
Rahm would then further turn the screw when sending a short iron down the pin on the par-3 16th and he duly converted the three-footer for birdie to open up a two-shot lead with two holes to play.
Both Rahm and Homa would then par the final two holes.
Rahm closed with a 69 to finish the week on 17-under par, two shots clear of Homa, who finished with a 68.
Patrick Cantlay finished in solo third on 14-under par following a round of 67.
Will Zalatoris posted a best-of-the-day 64 to race up the board into fourth place on 13-under par.
The win not only extends Rahm's lead at the top of the FedEx Cup standings but it also moves him back to World No.1.
Rahm was last No.1 in the world back in March 2022.
He has officially been the best player in the world for a cumulative 43 weeks in total.
With 10 career wins on the PGA Tour, the Spaniard now moves ahead of his hero in late great Seve Ballesteros, who won nine.
Rahm becomes the first European to win the Genesis Invitational since Sir Nick Faldo in 1997.
He also becomes the fastest player to three PGA Tour wins in a calendar year since Johnny Miller in 1975.
Homa, who has won twice already this season, remains in second spot in the FedEx Cup.
Further down the leaderboard, Rory McIlroy finished just inside the top 30 on 4-under par.
Tiger Woods, who was making his return to the PGA Tour for the first time since the 150th Open Championship last summer, finished a respectable tied 45th on 1-under par.
Woods closed with a round of 73.
Genesis Invitational Final Leaderboard
-17 J Rahm
-15 M Homa
-14 P Cantlay
-13 W Zalatoris
-12 K Mitchell
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