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Jon Rahm No. 1 after Memorial Win

Jon Rahm now world No. 1 after Memorial this past weekend. In 1989, Seve Ballesteros became the first Spaniard to become golf’s world No.1, and since that date, no one else has emerged to claim this prestigious title. But this Sunday history was rewritten when Jon Rahm won the US PGA Memorial tournament, therefore becoming the second Spaniard to become the world No. 1 in golf.

Rahm’s rank was bittersweet in light of recent personal tragedy

Rahm commented, “Anytime I can join Seve at anything, it’s incredible,” he also added, “It’s hard to process things right now.”

 “There are so many things going through my mind right now that have nothing to do with golf,” he said. He was referring to two relatives who recently died of Covid-19. 

The Spaniard led by a fantastic eight shorts in nine holes but dropped four strokes in what meant to be a five-hole span.  He made a bogey at the 10th, double-bogey at the 11th hole and a bogey at the 14.

Although a bit behind, the 25-year-old from Spain did not relent, he made an incredible 31 feet chip to the 16th hole, which was enough to get him ahead of his American rival Rory Mcllroy. Rahm took the top spot in the rankings from the Northern Ireland star –Rory, since we can now say Jon Rahm now world No. 1 after Memorial tournament.

Rahm came through with impressive shots throughout

“Luckily, I pulled out probably the best short game shot I will ever have. That was unbelievable,” the Spaniard was shocked himself, “For that to go in, that was exactly what I needed.”

The 18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus, who was hosting the event at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, referred to the shot as “spectacular” congratulating Rahm with a fist bump at the green.

In the Spaniard final round, he fired a three-over-par 75, when an unfortunate two-stroke penalty made his top-notch chip at 16 into a bogey rather than the birdie, which was expected.

Rahm came through in the end, which is why Jon Rahm now world No.1 after Memorial

He was given a two-stroke penalty when the slow-motion cameras revealed that his ball moved when he pushed down on the grass before the stunning chip that made him take the lead.

“I did not see or feel anything,” He added, “If it did, I would take it.  I did not see anything. It’s not going to take anything away from that shot. It’s not going to take anything away from today.” He finished 72 holes on nine-under 279 placings him on the frontline defecting Palmer by three strokes who came ended up second place.

Matthew Fitzpatrick ended up third with 283 after a made a closing 63. Meanwhile, Australia’s Jason Day and Matt Wallace both bagged fourth on 28.

This was the six tournaments held this season for the US PGA, and this entire event was held without spectators since the return of the sport in June caused by the three-month Covid-19 pandemic shutdown.

Also read: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy grouped at Memorial