Jon Rahmmade history on Sunday when hesecured his first-ever Masters victoryin Augusta, Georgia. His dominating win makes him the first European player towin both the Masters and the U.S. Open.
The 29-year-old golfer played a very calculated game — and shot a 69 — on the final day of the four-day tournament to beat both Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson, who tied for second place.
Golf fans were quick to note that Rahm’s win came on the 40th anniversary ofSeve Ballesteros' last Masters victory and what would have been his 66th birthday. Ballersteros, a fellow Spaniard and Rahm’s inspiration to play golf, died of brain cancer 12 years ago.
“Funny enough, we mentioned it during the round Tuesday, how Sunday was Seve’s birthday and it would be nice to win,” said Jose Maria Olazabal, two-time Masters winner and friend of Rahm. “Today was something special. Sometimes, you know, the stars align for a wonderful script.”
When told at the post-Masters press conference that he was the first European to win both the Masters and the U.S. Open,Rahm was pleasantly surprised.
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“I can’t believe I’m the first,” he said. “It is a pretty good duo of majors. I was starting to think I was never going to win a major again unless it was at Torrey Pines. If there’s anything better than making history … it’s hard to explain. Out of all the accomplishments of the many great players before me, it’s hard to believe I’m the first one. It’s a very humbling feeling. I can’t help but feel thankful.”
Jon Rahm.Andrew Redington/Getty
Phil Mickelson, a three-time Masters winner, is a longtime supporter of Rahm.
“I amnot surprised at his success,” Mickelson said at a post-Masters press conference. “I mean, it was obvious to me at a very young age that he was one of the best players in the world even while he was in college. To see him on this stage is not surprising for anybody.”
“It’s hard not to pull for Jon, too. He’s such a good guy. He has such a great heart and treats people so well. I think the world of him as a person,” he added.
“And a lot of it because of what it means to me, and to Spanish golf,” he added. “It’s Spain’s 10th major, fourth player to win the Masters. It’s pretty incredible.”
source: people.com
