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Jon Rahm Wins DP World Tour Championship

Jon Rahm Wins DP World Tour Championship

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Jon Rahm

Jon Rahm is an ambitious young golfer from Spain's Basque region. Since his college days at Arizona State University, where he picked up 11 tournament victories, Rahm has been on the rise in the collegiate ranks.

He's on fire as he experiences his best year ever, winning the Sentry Tournament of Champions and posting 10 top-10s in 15 starts.

1. Won the Sentry Tournament of Champions

The Sentry Tournament of Champions is a PGA Tour event held each January at Kapalua Resort's Plantation Course in Hawaii. It's an exclusive competition, where winners from the previous year compete for a total prize money total of $15 million.

Jon Rahm had finished as the runner-up in 2018 and 2022, but this year he finally won by two strokes at Kapalua Plantation Course in Maui, Hawaii. With a final round score of 63 at Kapalua Plantation Course, Rahm finished on 27 under par - two strokes ahead of defending champion Collin Morikawa.

Rahm is one of golf's most talented players. He has nine career wins on the PGA Tour, including three at DP World Tour Championship. Additionally, Rahm has eight top 10 finishes in Majors and is considered a strong favorite to win one this season.

He has a deep-seated affection for the Hawaiian islands and understands how important it is for players to win an event here. After playing at Kapalua for three years straight, he always enjoys himself immensely.

Last year, he came back from a 7-shot deficit in the final round to secure the title and earn $2,700,000 and 500 FedEx Cup points. It marked his first win of the year.

Since 2016, several former Sentry Tournament of Champions champions have gone on to win Major championships. Cameron Smith, Justin Thomas and Dustin Johnson were just three examples; all followed their TOC victories with major triumphs.

These results have cemented its place as one of the top 10 events on the PGA TOUR outside the Majors. Boasting an elevated purse and featuring some of golf's greatest talent, this event provides fans with a rare opportunity to witness first-hand how the PGA Tour prioritizes individual play.

Unlike many PGA Tour events, the Sentry Tournament of Champions does not feature a cut after halfway. This allows all field members to play all four days of the tournament - an element key in PGA TOUR strategy which is increasing purses and commitments for elite players in order to get them competing against one another more often.

2. Won the DP World Tour Championship

Jon Rahm, one of golf's most exciting young stars, concluded his season with a stunning victory at the DP World Tour Championship. The 28-year-old Spaniard carded an incredible 67 on Sunday to secure his third DP World Tour title by two shots over Alex Noren and Tyrrell Hatton at Jumeirah Golf Estates' Earth Course.

Rahm, who made his PGA Tour debut at the Quicken Loans National in 2016, has been one of the most impressive players on the European Tour this year. After finishing T-2 at both RBC Canadian Open and Quicken Loans National in 2016, he went on to win his first Rolex Series event at Dubai Duty Free Irish Open before going on to claim DP World Tour Championship glory.

He has seen his official world rankings points rise this season, making him a clear favorite for the DP World Tour season-long title. His second-round performance in Dubai, where he won by two shots, earned him the Harry Vardon Trophy as the season's best points score on the DP World Tour.

His victory at Dubai marked his first since the Spanish Open back in October. This came after a string of impressive finishes, including a T-2 finish at the BMW PGA, victory at the Spanish Open and T-4 showing at CJ Cup.

Rahm, a native of Spain, grew up in the coastal town of Barrika and later played college golf at Arizona State where he achieved World Amateur Number One status. At the end of his amateur career he finished with 11 tournament wins - tied for second most all-time at ASU behind only Phil Mickelson (11 wins).

Rahm turned professional in late 2016 and has had an outstanding first season on the European Tour since. He became the first player to win two Rolex Series events with victories at Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, plus collected his first PGA TOUR win at Farmers Insurance Open that same year.

3. Won the Mexico Open

Last year, Jon Rahm achieved remarkable success, taking home three major championships: the US Open, Irish Open and DP World Tour Championship. Additionally, he made his Ryder Cup debut at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin, before being invited to join Tiger Woods for the Hero World Challenge later that same month.

He finished as a runner-up to Dustin Johnson in the WGC Match Play, but it was his first career victory that really propelled him forward. Winning the DP World Tour Championship propelled him up the rankings and ensured him a spot on one of the world's premier tours.

Now he hopes to win more frequently in 2022 and this week's Mexico Open offers him an ideal chance to do so.

The tournament takes place at Vidanta Vallarta Golf Course in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - the first time the PGA Tour has played there. Renowned for its stunning views of Sierra Madre mountain range and Banderas Bay to the southwest, this course has something special to offer everyone.

This course can be challenging for those unfamiliar with it, as several holes feature sand traps and numerous water hazards.

Jon Rahm navigated the course with ease, birdying the third and fourth holes to start on one-under par for the round. Following that, he carded three consecutive pars to move into a tie for two under par.

On the final round, Rahm found himself in a group with Tony Finau and Brandon Wu, but he was able to hold off their charges to take home the victory. After shooting an even-par 72 on the front nine, he added two birdies and an eagle on the back nine for a total score of 69.

On the PGA Tour, Rahm has finished inside the top 25 in seven of his nine tournaments this season. In addition, he boasted 10 top-10 finishes within two months and is currently ranked fifth worldwide.

Rahm has faced an uphill battle this year despite his success on the PGA Tour. He hasn't won since the U.S. Open in summer 2019, and had struggled with form this season as well. On Sunday at Mexico Open however, Rahm was able to utilize his experience and hold off a late charge from Finau and Wu for his first PGA Tour win in over a year - his first win on any tour event since 2016.

4. Won the Farmers Insurance Open

Jon Rahm, 22-year-old Spaniard, has had an incredible run of success since turning professional in 2016. His first victory came at the Farmers Insurance Open where he eagled the final hole to claim his maiden title. Additionally, Jon finished in the top 10 of both Sentry Tournament of Champions and DP World Tour Championship events.

The Farmers Insurance Open is held annually at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, California and it's a major championship on the PGA Tour. As one of the world's most beloved events, this annual contest draws thousands to Torrey Pines every year.

Torrey Pines hosts this five-day tournament every winter since 1968, making it unique among winter events.

Rahm began the final round three strokes behind the leaders, but he finished with a 65 to secure his maiden win and become the youngest-ever winner at Farmers Insurance Open. He eagled the par-5 13th hole to take command of proceedings before adding birdies on holes 17 and 18 to move ahead for good.

He completed his round with a stunning 60-foot eagle putt on the final hole to secure victory and move into third place on the Official World Golf Rankings. The Farmers Insurance Open is one of the oldest PGA Tour events, boasting numerous high scores from players over its long history.

His score of 267 is the best ever recorded at Farmers Insurance Open and only three other golfers have ever posted a higher mark: George Burns in 1987 with 267; Jay Don Blake, Craig Stadler and Wes Ellis all posting scores of 268.

Rahm has taken a big step forward, but still has much work to do before he can truly be considered one of the great "Rahm vs. the Field" players like Tiger Woods. However, his potential has been evident and should continue to be an exciting prospect on the PGA Tour; thus why he's currently +450 on DraftKings Sportsbook to win this week's Farmers Insurance Open.

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