Jon Rahm delighted the huge crowds at Centro Nacional de Golf in Madrid as he became the sixth Spanish player to win the Spanish Open.
The world No.4 carded a closing 67 to get to 20 under and hold off the challenge of countryman Nacho Elvira and overnight leader Paul Dunne for his third European Tour title.
His three wins have come in just 19 events on the European Tour, making him the third-fastest player to reach that mark, and he joins Antonio Garrido, Seve Ballesteros, Sergio Garcia, Alvaro Quiros and Miguel Ángel Jiménez as Spanish winners of the event since it joined the European Tour in 1972.
The victory is Rahm’s first as a professional in his homeland, after claiming seven national individual amateur titles at various age levels, and adds to his two Rolex Series triumphs in Ireland and Dubai last season.
Irishman Dunne signed for a closing 71 to finish at 18 under, a shot clear of Elvira and two ahead of South Africa’s George Coetzee.
“It’s such a satisfying feeling. When I made the decision to come straight from Augusta it wouldn’t be to just show up and walk around, I wanted to win this tournament,” Rahm said.”I’ve been national champion at all levels as an amateur in Spain, so to join that prestigious list of Spanish Open winners feels amazing.”
Talking about the pressure of winning his national open, Rahm added: “It’s truly been the hardest Sunday I’ve ever had in any tournament, because the crowd wanted it so much, and I wanted it so much. You can tell how excited everybody is. I felt that tension, I felt that stress – everything felt magnified. The fans played a huge part – I came for them mainly – so I’m just glad I can win this one for the Spanish people.”
Jon Rahm’s Winning Bag
Driver: Taylormade M4 Driver (9.5°)
Fairway Wood: Taylormade M3 Fairway (16°)
Utility: Taylormade P790 UDI (23°)
Irons: Taylormade P750 Irons (4-PW)
Wedges: Taylormade Milled Grind Wedges (51°, 55°, 60°)
Putter: TaylormadeSpider Tour Red
Ball: Taylormade TP5X