Jon Rahm already has the photo. Standing tall, proud, happy, a winner, next to Tiger Woods, and with the champion’s trophy propped up between them. It’s yet another dream made reality. Another goal crossed off the list.
His idol, next to the golfer who, each and everyday, got himself out to the course to practice, to improve, to be like him one day.
Rahm won the Hero World Challenge this Sunday with a memorable performance. Tiger Woods’ tournament is now Jon’s sixth win as a professional. It was epic. He started off on Thursday at half throttle, came close to perfection on Friday, and he moved way up on the scoreboard, took the lead on Saturday, and finished the job on Sunday with a legendary round. He shot a 70, 63, 69 and 65 for the victory, with a total of -20 and a four-shot advantage over Tony Finau. Crushed it.
It’s Rahm’s third win in 2018, along with the CareerBuilder, the second tournament he played this year, and the Open de España. And let’s not forget about the Ryder Cup, with the memorable win in the individuals against Tiger Woods. Rahm has completed two full years as a professional now, and has accumulated a total of three wins each year.
It’s also interesting to note the ease at which Jon stays in shape all twelve months of the year. He won in January, in April, in September and in December. It’s simply spectacular. Coincidentally, just like last year, the golfer from Barrika won the last tournament of the year. In 2017, it was the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, and this time it was Tiger’s tournament.
Jon’s performance this Sunday was magnificent. He drew up a plan, and followed it to a tee (no pun intended), razor focused and determined. His goal was to make birdies on all five par 5s, and on the two short par 4s, and he did, indeed. Made it look easy. Seven under par without fail, no slip-ups, like clockwork from tee to green, making for an extraordinary show with his long game. He didn’t even have to make long putts. It wasn’t necessary. His game was at such a high caliber that even Tony Finau and Henrik Stenson had to back down. Jon made it impossible for everyone.
Rahm went out in a big way this year. A year marked by his relationship with Tiger Woods. A very exciting year, with some outstanding victories. In short, outdoing himself, and making his way up on the charts every week. With this win under his belt in the Hero, he is now sixth in the world, just before taking some well-deserved vacation. It’s time to go home with family and friends. The next challenge will be the World Basketball Championship in Barrika. The Tournament of Champions in Hawaii can wait for now…