Rahm adds another layer of history to his career with U.S. Open win

Aided by the power of positive thinking, Jon Rahm added another layer of history to his career with his maiden Major triumph as he became the first Spanish winner of U.S. Open.

When Jon Rahm was crowned European Number One in 2019, and then became World Number One for the first time in July 2020, he was following in the footsteps of the late, great, Seve Ballesteros as the only other Spaniard to achieve either accolade.

But as he lifted his maiden Major trophy at Torrey Pines to regain his position as World Number One, history belonged to him alone as he accomplished something that had until Sunday eluded even Ballesteros: A Spanish victory at the U.S. Open.

The magnitude of that achievement was not lost on Rahm, who quickly dedicated his first Major title to his idol.

“I'm the first Spaniard ever to win a U.S. Open. This was definitely for Seve,” he said.

“I know he tried a lot, and usually we think a lot about him at the Masters, but I know he wanted to win this one most of all. I just don't know how to explain it.”

And while the conclusion of the U.S. Open featured a dramatic end that included two impressive back-to-back birdie putts for Rahm to set the clubhouse target, there was also something incredibly fitting about his victory, the venue, and the events that led up to this year’s tournament.

For Rahm, Torrey Pines has long held a series of special memories. A regular stop on the PGA Tour, it was the site of Rahm’s first Tour victory in 2017 – a tournament his dad was able to come and watch - and later became the place where he proposed to his now-wife Kelley. Those factors made it a place Rahm was already looking forward to contending at, and this time he would be returning not only as a new dad to son Kepa, but as a player in-form and arguably due some good luck.

Just over two weeks before the U.S. Open, Rahm held a six-shot lead on the PGA Tour while defending his title at Memorial - the very same event which had helped elevate him to World Number One the year prior. This time around featured more heartbreak than jubilation however, and Rahm was informed he would have to withdraw after he returned a positive test for COVID-19.

It was a situation that the 26 year old could easily have struggled to deal with, but he instead chose to remain positive and believe that good karma would have to come his way.

“I’m a big believer in karma, and after what happened a couple weeks ago I stayed really positive knowing good things were coming,” he said.

“I didn't know what it was going to be, but I knew we were coming to a special place, I knew I got breakthrough win here and it's a very special place for my family, and the fact that my parents were able to come, I got out of COVID protocol early, I just felt like the stars were aligning, and I knew my best golf was to come.

“This is the power of positive thinking. I was never resentful for one second for what happened. And I don't blame anybody. It's been a difficult year, and unfortunately COVID is a reality in this world, and it's affected a lot of people. I got out of what happened the best possible hand because nobody in my family got sick. I barely got any symptoms.

“I believed from the biggest setbacks we can get some of the biggest breakthroughs, and that's why I stay so positive. That's why I kept telling Kelley, when she was devastated about what happened and my family and everybody around me, something good is going to come. I don't know what, but something good is going to come, and I felt it today out there on the golf course.

“As a father on my first Father's Day with my dad here, to get this one done the way I did, on top of that, you add the fact that we got engaged here, as well, and I have a very happy life. I can say I'm extremely happy off the golf course, but this one might steal the show for a couple of days. This one is very, very incredible, very hard to believe, that this story can round up and end up so good. It almost feels like it's a movie that's about to end and I'm going to wake up soon.”

Jon Rahm: Historic moments so far

Historic amateur career

Jon Rahm made his presence known to the world during a successful college career at Arizona State that saw him win 11 titles, become the first two-time recipient of the Ben Hogan award for the top College golfer, and ascend to the top of the World Amateur Golf Rankings on two occasions.

The Spaniard first reached the top of the rankings in April 2015, a position he held for 25 weeks to earn a spot in the 2016 U.S. Open, and it was there that we got the first real glimpse of his natural talent. Rahm, who was once again ranked as the top ranked amateur heading into the event– a position he held for a record 60 weeks in total, turned professional immediately after finishing the tournament as the low amateur.

Dubai victory and Rookie honours

As the European Tour reached its grand finale at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai in 2017, Rahm showcased his talent with a one stroke victory over Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Shane Lowry in the final event of the season.

The triumph saw Rahm named the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year just a week after his 23rd birthday, and moved him into third place in the Race to Dubai Rankings behind Justin Rose and eventual champion Tommy Fleetwood.

Home comforts

Winning on the European Tour is special, but winning in your home country with home support is something not every golfer is lucky enough to experience. Rahm achieved it at the 2018 Open de España, claiming his third European Tour title during his very first appearance on home soil as a professional golfer.

Rolex Series History

After finishing in a tie for fourth at the 2018 Dubai Duty-Free Irish Open, Rahm was hopeful a third successful week in Ireland would help him reclaim the trophy he won in 2017.

It looked unlikely after he opened with rounds of 67, 71 and 64, but Rahm remained determined as he overturned a six stroke deficit with a final round of 62. It was enough for a two shot victory, and Rahm was rewarded with a slice of history as he became the first player to win three Rolex Series titles.

Record-breaker Rahm

The 2019 Mutuactivos Open de España was another history-making week for the Spaniard.

Making his 39th start on the European Tour, Rahm became the fastest player to win five European Tour victories as he closed out a five stroke victory over compatriot Rafa Cabrera Bello at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.

European Number One

Rahm arrived at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in 2019 as one of five players who could end the week with the Race to Dubai crown, and once again he became the man to follow in Seve's footsteps.

With the title in his sights, Rahm held off a late challenge from fellow contender Tommy Fleetwood with a final hole birdie, winning the event for a second time and ending the season as just the second ever Spaniard to be crowned Europe's Number One.

World Number One glory

Rahm entered the 2020 event at Muirfield Village with the knowledge that only a victory would likely guarantee that he could displace Rory McIlroy and enjoy his first stint as World Number One.

He entering the final round with a four stroke lead, and recovered well from a brief slip in composure on the 10th and 11th holes, eventually claiming a three stroke victory over Ryan Palmer. The highlight of his round was an extraordinary chip-in for birdie at the par three 16th, but he was latterly awarded a two stroke penalty for unintentionally moving the ball at rest beforehand. It was an unfortunate end, but it didn’t alter the result, which saw Rahm earn his fourth PGA Tour victory and achieve the title of World Number One for the very first time at the age of 25.

That week, he became the fastest European player to do so, just 4 years and 27 days after turning professional, and just the 10th European.

Spanish Major history

Rahm produced a finish that will go down in Major history, making a pair of birdies on his final two holes to sign for a 67 and walk off the 18th green with a one shot lead at six under and his son Kepa in his arms on his first United States Father's Day.

Louis Oosthuizen, who led for much of the final round, found a hazard off the tee on the 17th and the resulting bogey meant he needed an eagle up the last for a play-off. The 2010 Open Champion failed to find the fairway at the last, instead making a birdie in a closing 71 that left him at five under and second in a Major for the sixth time.

With his win, Rahm has become the first ever Spanish winner of the U.S Open and the fourth Spaniard to win a Major after the late great Seve Ballesteros, José María Olazábal and Sergio Garcia.