Golf This is how Jon Rahm, an unusual number one in the world, was forged: "I left my son on a plane and I don't even know where he is going"
Jon Rahm is already the history of golf, the history of Spanish sport. Since the intense dawn of Sunday, he is the only Spaniard in history to win the
US Open
golf, he is number one in the world of golf and becomes the fourth Spaniard in history
(Seve Ballesteros, José María Olazábal
and
Sergio García)
in having a major in his record.
121 years of history
have had to pass
for a Spaniard to be crowned in the
United States Open,
precisely the tournament where in 2016 he made his debut in the big events, still being an amateur player. Since then Jon has played 14 major tournaments, in the fifteenth the victory has come.
The start of the Spanish on the last day was perfect. His aggressive play gave him birdies on the first two holes. The only stumble of the day would come on hole 4 after sending his drive out to the bunker on the right. From the mistake, Jon played comfortable in the midst of extreme conditions, serene when everyone seemed to succumb to the pressure of the most demanding major, leaving birdie opportunities that he could not take advantage of.
Probably the worst swing of the day would come at hole 9, but the lucky rebound against the fence that separates the limits of the field, gave him the opportunity to return to the fairway in this par five and a masterful approach gave him a new birdie. Jon faced the nine second holes just a blow to the head. Patience was key then, birdie putts that escaped on holes 10, 13, 14 and 16, but Rahm remained calm and took out the champion's claw, which has distinguished him throughout his short career, to put one of the More difficult putts on the 17th hole, about seven meters with a steep drop.
He reached the par five hole 18 tied for the lead with South African
Louis Oosthuizen,
the talisman hole of his career, here in 2017 he achieved his first professional victory on the
Farmers Insurance of the PGA Tour
with a gigantic eagle putt.
The huge exit gave him the chance to hit the green in two strokes, but his iron ends up deflecting a couple of meters to the right to end up in the tense green bunker.
Then again Jon gave another lesson in strategy and serenity by giving up playing dangerous flag, with a whole water hazard behind him.
The historic moment arrived, a twenty-foot putt and a punch into the San Diego sky.
Sean M. HaffeyAFP
The Spaniard measured the euphoria now facing thirty long minutes of waiting, and only Oosthuiozen, a blow from behind, could ruin the feat of
Barrika's,
once important rivals such as
Rory McIlroy, Bryson Dechambeau
or
Brooks Koepka
were discarded. The South African, winner of
The Open in 2010, made
the wait even more tense with a great par saved on the 16th hole, although his start on the 17th ended in the obstacle on the left, a bogey that forced him to finish with eagle on the 18, the only option to force a tiebreaker.
The only option was to hole out a 63-meter approach that went over the top, while Jon prepared on the practice field for a possible playoff.
The Spaniard received the victory with Adam Hayes, his caddy and key support of his career, before merging in an emotional hug with his wife Kelley and little Kepa.
"I have always believed in karma," he emotionally told American television, recalling his retirement from the Memorial, before dedicating the triumph to his family and Seve Ballesteros.
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