Tiger Woods presented Jon Rahm with the trophy recognizing the Spanish golfer as the winner of the Genesis Invitational on Sunday, the tournament organized by the American golfer. «It is an honor and the truth is that I don’t know how to explain how beautiful this week has been, how beautiful today has been, how much fun it has been. Although it is stressful, it is very emotional. And that Tiger Woods declares you as champion of his tournament is an honor », said the golfer from Barrica.
A triumph that returns him to number 1 in the world rankings that he had abandoned almost a year ago. The last time he was up was in March of last year.. «To reach number one again is an honor. About time… And winning in this field is incredible. Something that no great Spaniard could do, ”said Rahm. «To be champion this week, in a tournament like this, with this story and with Tiger’s story, it’s incredible. One more for Spain and I hope many more to come», he added.
For him it begins to be customary to do things that no one had done before in Spain. Although Spanish victories focused on the Augusta Masters and the British Open that Severiano Ballesteros won three times, he achieved his first Grand Slam victory at the US Open.
Rahm is a different golfer. A limitless talent, with an insatiable voracity. So far this year he has already won three tournaments and it is the fifth win in the last nine he has played. With the Genesis Invitational, there are already ten victories in the PGA. Although the victory was not easy on the last day. «It was a stressful day and a great day in which I played golf very well. The first nine holes I played wonderfully. A pity that from 10 to 12 he could not play them under par. If he had done it under par as he had done the rest of the days, the last holes would have been much easier », he acknowledged after finishing his day.
The one from Barrica was third in the ranking this week behind the American Scottie Scheffler and the Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, who are now behind.
The first time he was number 1 in the world left him with an indelible memory. Yes, I have a memory. His name is Kepa and he is almost two years old», He said a few weeks ago before apologizing to his wife. I’m sorry, Kelley, I don’t know if she’d like that I told it, but that’s the way it is. I’m sure she can tell you the story better than me. We suspect it was that night. I’m sorry,” she added.
«I don’t think Kelley really minds me telling it because we always joke about it. Someday we will tell Kepa», assured the Spanish golfer. «Having children has been very important in my life. It has helped me put my feet on the ground and separate my work from the rest of my life. It has taught me what is really important. After a lap, as soon as I am with the children, any pain or discomfort I may have is gone. I happen to be his father. It helps me separate», he recognized. His second child, Eneko, was born on August 5.
The names of his sons demonstrate Rahm’s attachment to his land and family, even though his golfing background is largely American. For a reason he got married in Bilbao, in the Basilica of Begoña, in 2019.
His eldest son decided to imitate his father after his victory and dedicated himself to putting bottles of water in the holes. Something not so different from what Jon Rahm himself did when his mother went to give golf lessons and he fiddled with the clubs and hit a ball.
He has only won one big one, but he keeps alive the “threat” that made him win 19 a few years ago. This year he hopes to add one more. “It’s the best season of my life,” he says for now.