Jon Rahm captured his first European Tour title in swashbuckling style at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, as the Spaniard put on a masterful display at Portstewart Golf Club to close out a six-shot victory.
The 22 year old was confidence personified in front of a supportive Northern Irish crowd, and his round took off in spectacular fashion at the fourth, where he holed out for an eagle three to move two shots clear of the pack.
Six more birdies, as well as another eagle at the 14th, were enough to launch Rahm into an insurmountable lead, and even two bogeys in the final three holes could not dampen his spirits on the rainy north coast of Northern Ireland, as he carded a final round 65 for a 24 under par total to win the Rolex Series event.
The win moves Rahm back inside the top ten in the world and, following a majestic performance on a classic links course, he will surely arrive at Royal Birkdale in two weeks time among the favourites to lift the Claret Jug.
“I know the trophy is right next to me, and my name is going to be there for ever now, but it seems hard to believe that it’s happened,” said the clearly delighter winner. “It’s somewhat surreal. I just look at it [the trophy] and I see Nick Faldo, I see José Maria Olazábal, I see Nick Faldo again, I see Colin Montgomerie, Ian Woosnam, Seve. That’s a list of the greatest European Tour players ever, and to have my name next to it, and the last one – Rory McIlroy – it’s so special.
“Not just to win this event, but to win it at Portstewart – a great golf course – and with the fans supporting me better than I’ve ever seen anybody support me. It’s been unbelievable. To shoot 24 under and win by six – that is not something I would have believed I was capable of. I learned a lot about myself and what I’m capable of, and it’s a really, really special day.”
Richie Ramsay shared second place on 18 under with Essex’s Matt Southgate, but they both left Northern Ireland with huge consolation prizes, the former earning a spot alongside Rahm in the Open, and the latter virtually securing his playing privileges on the European Tour for 2018.
Justin Rose finished his week with a 68 to share fourth, the Olympic champion joined on 17 under par by Scot David Drysdale (63) and New Zealand’s Ryan Fox (68) – both of whom also secured their place in the Open, as well as Daniel Im of the USA.