Jon Rahm moved back to the top of the Official Golf World Rankings after claiming a dramatic two-stroke victory at the Genesis Invitational.
The Spaniard ended the final round with a two-under 69 to finish 17 under and repel a spirited challenge from American Max Homa.
Rahm trailed Homa with six holes remaining but the 28-year-old hit two birdies on the par threes at 14 and 16 and pars on the remaining to holes to cement victory.
This is Rahm’s 10th PGA TOUR victory of his career, his third in 2023, and his fifth in his past nine worldwide starts. It has meant that Rahm has been lifted to the summit of the world rankings for the fifth time in his career, moving ahead of Scottie Scheffler, who himself had regained the top spot last week following his victory at the WM Phoenix Open.
Rahm’s victory also means that he has now achieved more career wins than his compatriot Seve Ballesteros.
“I could explain exhaustion right now because that was a tough week and a tough Sunday,” Rahm said after his victory. “Max [Homa] battled out there and Patrick [Cantlay] gave us a scare, so I’m just glad I could come through at the end.
“I know he [Seve Ballesteros] didn’t play full-time PGA Tour and I know five of those were majors, but still to reach that milestone of double-digit wins is pretty incredible. To do it at a golf course with this legacy, this history and hosted by the man himself, Tiger Woods, it’s a true honour. I can’t really explain it.”
Rahm added: “I’ve never had three PGA Tour wins in a season and to do it this early on is incredible, and to do it at this golf course. Talk about the history of Riviera as a golf course, the history of Tiger Woods as a player, those two combined in this tournament, it’s a pretty big deal.
“As a historian of the game, to be able to win a tournament hosted by Tiger and the one hosed by Jack as well, it’s pretty incredible.
“I’ve won five out of my last nine starts, I haven’t finished worse than top seven and I’ve won three tournaments already .I don’t need a ranking to tell me, to validate anything, right? I’m having the best season of my life and hopefully I can keep it going.”
Tiger Woods, who made his return to professional golf for the first time in seven months ended the tournament with a final-round 73 to finish tied-45th on one under.
“It’s progress, but I didn’t win,” said the 15-time major winner.
The next event on the PGA TOUR calendar is The Honda Classic taking place at the PGA National Members Club between February 23-26.