CNN
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Sunday was the beginning of the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Rabbit. in Golf calendar, it marked the continuation of the year John Rahm.
The Spaniard edged American rookie Davis Thompson to take a one-shot victory at The American Express in La Quinta, California, for his second consecutive win on the PGA Tour. dramatic comeback victory earlier this month at the Sentry Tournament of Champions.
With two wins on the DP World Tour at the end of 2022, the world No. 3 has now won four of his last six encounters. Even in the two he didn’t win, he finished eighth and fourth.
He finished outside the top 10 only once in his last 10 starts, finishing tied-16th at the PGA Tour Championship. It’s the look of a lifetime, and Rahm is enjoying it.
“I felt in control of my game … as comfortable as could be,” he told reporters on Sunday.
“Every time I’ve felt like in the past I was going to win, just because it takes a lot of the pressure off a lot of parts of my game, knowing that basically I’m going to hit the shots. I’m imagining
“Like I said all last year… you are now seeing the fruits of the hard work I have put in. And they’re just coming in droves.”
Victory in California marked Rahm’s ninth career PGA Tour title, although the former world No. 1 was made to work for it by 23-year-old rookie Thompson, playing in his 20th PGA Tour event.
After starting the deciding round tied for the lead, the pair still could not be separated with only three holes left to play. After Rahm pulled ahead with a birdie at the par-five 16th, Thompson seemed destined to equalize with a birdie of his own at the subsequent hole, only to see his curving 50-foot putt bounce off the flag. for.
Dropping his putter to the ground, a devastated Thompson bowed his head in his hands. Though he would tap home for par and repeat the feat on the final hole, Rahm sealed the day with back-to-back pars of his own to card a four-under, 27-under 261 for the tournament, and yet to win the tournament. Another title.
“I had a great week. It is my dream to compete with the best players in the world and I did it today and proved that I can play with them.”
“I’ll probably be playing the ‘what if’ game in my head for a long time, unfortunately … but I’m proud of myself for this week.”
Rahm was full of praise for the University of Georgia alumnus, who rose to a world-best 59th after the weekend.
“Davis played amazing golf today,” said Rahm.
“If his ball goes for 17, you never know what can happen, but luckily, the scales tipped in my favour.”
The win moves Rahm to No. 1 in the FedExCup for the first time in his career and solidifies his status as the top-seeded man heading into the January 25 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, which marks his first PGA Tour appearance. The site is win in 2017.
A win in San Diego would be a remarkable start to the year, although the Spaniard will still need four more in a row for the match. Tiger Woods’ Recorded seven consecutive PGA Tour wins between July 2006 and January 2007.
Rahm’s recent run makes him one of the early favorites for major glory this season, as he looks to add to his 2021 US Open title. He is currently the most in-form player in golf, yet the 28-year-old has drawn plenty of inspiration from athletes in other sports.
It’s a “very long list” of examples, from swimming royalty Michael Phelps to recently retired NFL defensive end jj wattBut Rahm’s Longest-Lasting Role Models Are NBA Legends Kobe Bryant,
Rahm said, “I see a lot of similarities in the way we approach our craft, because craft is the key word for Kobe.”
“With the passion that we both have in our sport. This is definitely someone to learn from. Work ethic beats talent every day of the week, period. And I like to think that I have a really hard job and I put a lot of time into it.