ASU product Jon Rahm earns first 1st PGA win thanks to wild eagles
Jan 29, 2017, 5:44 PM | Updated: Jan 30, 2017, 12:10 pm
Jon Rahm, right, of Spain, reacts after making a putt for eagle on the 18th hole of the South Course during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
(AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Former ASU golfer Jon Rahm used two eagles in his last six holes to finish Sunday with a 65 to win the Farmers Insurance Open with a 13-under 275.
Rahm’s eagle on the 13th hole gave him confidence that showed on the 17th when a 60-foot putt dropped for the 22-year-old Spaniard’s first PGA Tour win. He beat second-place Charles Howell III by three shots.
“I was disagreeing a little bit with my caddie on what the line was gonna be,” Rahm said of his long putt on the 17th hole. “I honestly just aimed between the two spots we were thinking of and, thank God, it went in.”
13th hole: Eagle
18th hole: EagleJon Rahm talks us through an amazing finish. pic.twitter.com/oyuca9Q63V
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 29, 2017
Rahm’s reaction got quite the treatment.
What a finish!
Jon Rahm made eagle at the 72nd hole and has won the @FarmersInsOpen.
He's the youngest to ever win this tournament.
Wow 🏆 pic.twitter.com/9hBqPNWs9N
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 29, 2017
Rahm, who while at ASU was the world’s top-ranked amateur for a time, turned professional last year and is managed by his former Arizona State coach, Tim Mickelson.
Of course, Mickelson’s brother Phil, also an ASU alumnus, heaped praise on the young Sun Devil after the latter’s victory at Torrey Pines.
"He's more than just a good young player … I think he's one of the top players in the world."
-Phil Mickelson on Jon Rahm pic.twitter.com/T0FATtMpiA
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 29, 2017
Phil Mickelson on playing matches with Jon Rahm: "Let’s just say, I will only be his partner from now on. I haven’t been able to beat him."
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelESPN) January 29, 2017
The victory gives Rahm qualification for several events, including the Masters. He entered Sunday ranked No. 137 in the world.
Speechless. pic.twitter.com/ucXAPEyiIJ
— Matt Cochran (@PGATOURCochran) January 29, 2017
