Rahm, who wins his third title this season, returned a card of 69 on Sunday, or 2 strokes under par, for a total of 267 (-17), and once again becomes the boss of world golf for the first time since March 2022. “
To reach this milestone of double digit wins is pretty incredible
,” said Rahm, who won his tenth trophy on the North American Tour (PGA).
“
And to do it on a golf course with that heritage, that history and hosted by the man himself, Tiger Woods, is a real honor.
I can't really explain it
,” he said, as the Genesis Invitational is sponsored by Woods.
To discover
The world ranking of the best golf players
However, this victory, Rahm had to snatch it, while he left with three strokes ahead of the American Max Homa.
After a birdie from Homa on the 9th hole, Rahm conceded a bogey on the 10th hole, where Homa birdied again, putting the two players back in the game.
But the 28-year-old Spaniard bounced back with two birdies on the 14th and 16th holes, allowing him to secure victory at the Riviera Country Club, where, as he recalled, legends Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus n have never won.
“
It was a difficult week and a difficult Sunday.
I'm glad I made it out in the end,
" said Rahm, who had to share the spotlight with Woods, who was playing his first professional tournament since The Open Championship in July 2022.
He described his four full laps at the Genesis as “
progress
” even though, as an inveterate competitor, he would have liked to do better.
"
It's progress, but I didn't win
," said the golfer at the 15 Majors, still limited by fractures to his right leg in a serious road accident two years ago, which required multiple operations.
"
It was definitely a little tougher than I was letting on
," added Woods, who finished his tournament at one stroke under par.
“
My team has been fantastic in getting my body to recover day by day and getting me ready to play every day.
"
That's the hardest part, the one I can't fake at home
“Woods explained.
“
Even if I played four days at home, it's not the same as adrenaline, it's not the same as the system that is ramped up like that, the intensity, just the concentration it takes to play at this level.
»
Read alsoGolf: Woods apologizes after his controversial prank
Sunday, after a nice birdie on the 1st hole, Woods conceded a series of bogeys on the 5th, 8th, 9th and 12th holes, before signing a superb birdie on the 13th on a putt of nearly 9 m.
On the 15th hole, he conceded a disappointing bogey by missing a one-yard putt, before recovering quickly with a birdie on the 16th.
With his right leg and ankle still making walking problematic, the 47-year-old recalled he could only hope to play all four Majors, plus "a few more"
tournaments
in the year.
"
That's all, that's all my body will allow me to do (...) It's just my reality
," he breathed.
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