Jon Rahm proved he was a special talent last year, playing his way on to the PGA Tour in just seven events.
He proved it again Sunday on the South course at Torrey Pines when he eagled both back-nine par fives on his way to a closing 65 to win the Farmers Insurance Open.
The 22-year-old former Arizona State golfer from Spain, closed with a 30 over the difficult final nine holes to earn his first PGA Tour victory. He outplayed experienced veterans Justin Rose and defending champion Brandt Snedeker along with a host of young players trying to win for the first time.
Rahm made his move with an 18-foot eagle putt at the par five 13th to start his closing charge. “Thanks to 13, I got myself into it. After that second shot, I was able to hit the shots coming in the way I wanted to,” Rahm said after closing the deal.
Rahm hit a beautiful approach to five feet at the 17th and got to 11-under par and into the lead for the first time. At the 18th, he launched a superb drive then hit a five-wood to the back of the green. He faced a difficult approach putt that had four different breaks but his touch was perfect. The ball came off the top tier at perfect speed and started slowing as it got to the cup then took one last turn to the left and fell in for the eagle.
“I really can’t explain what went through my mind,” Rahm said as he replayed the winning putt. “It’s amazing.”
Rahm became the youngest winner of the event and was the first, first-time winner since Jay Don Blake back in 1991.
He also put his name next to golf’s biggest name. The last time a winner of the event eagled the 72nd hole, it was a guy named Tiger Woods.
Rahm’s furious finish, three-under par over the final two holes, left him three better than C.T. Pan and Charles Howell III, who tied for second at 10-under par.
Overnight leaders Snedeker and Patrick Rodgers were never able to get it going. Snedeker’s 73 left him at eight-under and tied for ninth while Rodgers shot 72 and tied for fourth.
