It is dizzying to think what Jon Rahm’s season could have been had it not mediated certain misfortunes. That positive for coronavirus in the Memorial when he was almost guaranteed the triumph, that strange second positive in Tokyo when he was the great candidate for gold … Or the series of putts that licked the hole without wanting to enter it yesterday, separating him from a historic victory for Spain in the PGA final and a prize of 15 million dollars (twelve and a half euros).
The Jackpot finally went to 29-year-old American Patrick Cantlay, who added -11 to -10 with which he started in East Lake (Atlanta, USA) as FedEx Cup leader for -21 in total. Commendable work of containing his during the four days against a voracious Rahm, who tried from the first day and came to co-lead on Saturday, the tournament already turned into a match play between the two. A very worthy champion, a man always called to achieve great things, resurrected after back problems that took three long years away from the circuit that now wins for the first time, succeeding Dustin Johnson.
At no point in the last lap did he make a place for Rahmbo in the head. He struck first with a birdie at 2 and well received the bogey blow at 5, reinforced by a birdie from his rival. The distance was narrowly reduced to one, because in number 6 he expanded it to two again. It would move in that fork throughout the day. Another bogey to the ninth was recovered in 16 without Rahm managing to force a tie earlier. That birdie unanswered by the Basque was the final punch. Back to two with two holes ahead, he still put drama on the bogey at 17, but a hit from the fairway on the final par 5 secured him the birdie and his fourth trophy of the season.
Rahm closes it number one in the world with his first big in the showcases, the US Open. And there may still be a final climax in the Ryder of Whistling Straits (USA). Maybe together with Sergio GarcÃa, great all week, who finished 14th with -1 to -7 after three birdies and two bogeys. His season finale, reaching the Tour Championship for the first time since 2017 and climbing 16 places in the table, deserves an invitation.. But Padraig Harrington will decide.
Check here the complete rankings of the Tour Championship.