Jon Rahm wins the Augusta Masters
The Spanish golfer Jon Rahm won this Sunday the Augusta Masters, his second major after the US Open in 2021, by winning in its 87th edition with 4 strokes ahead of the American Brooks Koepka, the sixth green jacket for Spanish golf on the day that Severiano Ballesteros would have turned 66 years old. The 28-year-old ‘lion of Barrika’ was crowned in a spectacular way at Augusta National, after four days of suspensions, storms and trees giving way due to the wind. The Basque, who returns to number one in the world, demonstrated his spectacular form with his fourth victory so far in 2023.
In memory of Seve Ballesteros
The anniversary of an idol like Seve, 40 years after the second Masters of the genius of Pedreña, put Rahm in unbeatable mode, against all odds, when he resumed the postponed third day four strokes behind Koepka on Sunday morning. Facing the last 18 holes, the outcome was three-way: the American (-11), the Barrika (-9) and the Norwegian Viktor Hovland (-8).
Rahm dominated at the end
The wind was the last element to give some war on the course of Georgia (United States), in addition to the water that left the greens heavier and slower than normal. It was time to play it close and, after what we have seen this season, with Rahm shining in the Sentry Tournament of Champions, The American Express and the Genesis Invitational, the final result can not be called a surprise. The Basque managed the decisive round with head, also seeing that Koepka was not going to spare, and pressed when he smelled blood. Rahm climbed to the lead on the sixth hole and did not neglect an illustrious victory, concentrated to enjoy the glory on the 18th green on a special date. Americans Phil Mickelson (-8), Jordan Spieth (-7) and Patrick Reed (-7) completed the Top 5.
Koepka, the remolque
On the fourth hole, with a bogey by the American, the stellar match was tied. Rahm had calmed the nerves with a previous birdie and Koepka’s game was much more forced, in tow to save the type but without avoiding giving up the lead with another bogey on the sixth hole. The Basque birdied the 8th.
A dream come true
With a few strokes of income, the lion of Barrika could go carefully in the Amen Corner and, from the 13th, launch the final attack. Two birdies in a row, with a Seve-like second shot on the 14th hole, did not take away the serious look of concentration of a Rahm who did not clench his fist until the par of the 17th and did not smile until the 18th, when he saw his dream come true on April 9, in memory of his idol and as Sergio Garcia also did in 2017.
Making history
After playing in the worst possible conditions, the greatest exponent of the PGA circuit this season fulminated a Koepka waving the flag of LIV Golf, recent winner in Orlando. Rahm’s victory is also celebrated by the traditional circuits, at war with the Saudi born last year, money without the history that the Spanish golfer is writing.
