Jon Rahm celebrates on the 18th green. Photo: Thomas Lovelock/Augusta National
Jon Rahm clinched his maiden Masters victory on his seventh try with a final-round score of 69. This accomplishment adds him to the elite group of Spanish golfers who have donned the coveted Green Jacket – Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal, both of who are two-time champions and Sergio Garcia.
At 12-under 276, the Spanish sensation secured victory with a four-stroke lead over Brooks Koepka, with whom he fiercely contested for the last 36 holes. Meanwhile, three-time champions Phil Mickelson climbed the leaderboard at 52 years of age, posting his lowest final round in 30 Masters appearances with a 65.
Jon Rahm received the Green Jacket from Scottie Scheffler during the presentation ceremony. Photo: Chris Trotman/Augusta National
Rahm, who duelled Koepka for the championship, claimed his second major title 40 years after Ballesteros’ second win at Augusta National. Significantly, it happened to fall on the 66th anniversary of the iconic golfer’s birthday. Some in the gallery even cried out “Seve” in a show of emotional encouragement for Rahm, who was aware of the timing.
When Rahm debuted at the Masters in 2017, he said, “Seve is my ultimate reference.” At age 28, Rahm, who returns to No. 1 in the world with his win, already has taken up plenty of space himself on golf’s shelf of memorable players. He will leave down Magnolia Lane with four victories so far this season, duplicating what 2022 champion Scottie Scheffler achieved last year.
“This one was for Seve,” Rahm said of the Spanish legend, who died of cancer in 2011. “I know he was out there helping, and help he did.”
Rahm’s winning streak began in June of 2021, when he birdied the final two holes at Torrey Pines to become the first Spaniard to win the U.S. Open and on Sunday, he made another comeback to become the first European golfer to win both the Masters and the U.S. Open.
“I find that hard to believe,” Rahm said, when informed of that distinction. “If there is anything better than accomplishing something like this, it’s making history. To be the first to do something like that is a very humbling feeling. I can’t help but be anything but thankful.”
Rahm with his wife Kelley and son Kepa on the 18th green. Photo: Sam Greenwood/Augusta National
Olazabal, who clinched his first Green Jacket at the age of 28 in 1994, the same year when Rahm was born, was among those to welcome Rahm at the final hole.
Jon first met Ballesteros when he was 12 at a golf banquet that Olazabal also attended.
“I knew who Olazabal was,” Rahm explained. “I had no idea who Seve was, and I shook Olazabal’s hand and I almost missed Seve.
“And my Dad almost had a heart attack because I had the chance to shake Seve’s hand and I almost didn’t. I have that memory.”
Rahm has now added another significant memory to his collection, and it highly probable that more will follow.
