New York (AFP)

Spaniard Jon Rahm won the Memorial Tournament on Sunday, counting towards the American professional golf circuit (PGA), becoming at the same time the new world number one.

Rahm, whose fourth victory on the PGA circuit, takes the place so far occupied by the Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, who finished him 32nd in this tournament disputed in Dublin (Ohio).

He became the first Spaniard to take the lead since Seve Ballesteros in 1989. "Whenever I can join Seve, it's incredible," said Jon Rahm.

"I'm having trouble realizing now," added the man whose two family members died from Covid-19. "There are so many things in my head right now that have nothing to do with golf," he said.

Rahm finished the Muirfield Village course in 279 strokes, or 9 strokes under par, ahead of American Ryan Palmer by 3 strokes in total.

After the first 9 holes of the 4th and last round, Rahm led eight shots before making three bogeys and a double-bogey, seeing his opponent Palmer dangerously close.

But a remarkable chip in the 16th hole allowed him to keep his advantage. "Fortunately, I had the best short shot I could hope for. It was incredible," said the 25-year-old Spaniard. "To get that shot in, that was exactly what I needed."

But that shot on the 16th hole, allowing Rahm to birdie, turned into a bogey, after the golfer received a two-stroke penalty.

Television cameras indeed showed in slow motion that his ball had moved when he had pushed on the grass behind it, although that had not changed the surface where the ball rested and that Rahm could not have it see for himself.

"I haven't seen or felt anything," said Rahm. "I haven't seen anything. It won't take anything away from this shot. It won't take anything away from this day," he insisted.

Five-time Memorial winner Tiger Woods, who had not played on the PGA tour since February due to stiff back, made a 76 card, 4 strokes above par.

The 44-year-old American suffered by signing a double-bogey and five bogeys on the Muirfield Village course, which he finished with a total of 294 strokes (6 strokes above par).

© 2020 AFP