A Blog By TFTB’s Golf Contributor Chad Pavlecic
On a beautiful Easter Sunday in Augusta, Georgia, Jon Rahm outlasted Brooks Koepka and the field to etch his name into the Spanish golf history books alongside fellow countryman Seve Ballesteros as the only Spanish golfers to win two different major championships.
Starting Sundays 30-hole marathon, Jon Rahm stood 4 shots back of LIV Golf series Brooks Koepka, who was off to a record start at The 2023 Masters. In what seemed like a week where Koepka could do no wrong, he couldn’t get anything going on the course as tough conditions to close out the third round allowed Rahm to stay within reach.
Rahm (-9), standing two shots back of Koepka (-11) heading into the final round, drew inspiration from the late masters Champion Ballesteros to muster up a comeback for the ages on the 40th anniversary of Seve’s first Masters victory. It seemed like every time Koepka left the door open, Rahm failed to capitalize on his opportunities early. After Koepka made two early bogeys on #3 and #6, it was all knotted up heading into #8, Yellow Jasmine, where Koepka pulled his drive into the Georgia Pines left of the fairway and Rahm took advantage by cozying his third shot near the hole.
Rahm converted his birdie putt and seemingly had full command of his golf swing and the tournament. After birdies on #13 and #14, Rahm stood on the 15th tee with a four shot lead and one arm in his first green jacket.
Koepka failed to make a late charge as Rahm was resilient and showed no signs of giving up his commanding lead. Rahm scrambled after an errant tee shot on the 18th tee that failed to reach the fairway, but made a world-class par en route to his second major championship and first Masters title. He is just the 4th Spaniard to win a Masters title and the first since Sergio Garcia in 2017.
The story of the day was unlikely T-2 Finisher Phil Mickleson, age 52, who turned back the clocks to set the record for the oldest player to stage a top 5 finish at the Masters thanks to an incredible 65 on Sunday Afternoon. Playing alongside Jordan Spieth, the face of the LIV Golf Series gave a thumbs up as he birdied #18 to finish at -8, four back of Rahm. Jordan Spieth also dazzled the patrons with yet another Sunday masterclass at Augusta National Golf Club, shooting a 66 that included 9 birdies, and grabbing another top 5 finish at The Masters.
There is no doubt golf is in a great place going forward, despite the ongoing feud between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series. Filled with young stars left and right, Jon Rahm stands at the peak of golfs mountain top, reclaiming the #1 world ranking and setting a standard which will be difficult to follow. I am very much looking forward to watching Rahm take place in all the traditions past Masters champions are involved in for the rest of time, as well as the menu he plans to rollout for next years champions dinner.
Vamos, Jon!
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