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The week started at the Farmers Insurance Open with hype and anticipation surrounding Tiger Woods return to the PGA Tour. It ended surrounding ASU Alumni Jon Rahm adding to his resume as one of the best young golfers in the world.
Jon Rahm made two back-nine eagles, one on the final hole, to secure his first-ever PGA Tour victory on Sunday at Torrey Pines.
The 22-year-old Rahm, the former No. 1-ranked amateur in the world while playing with ASU, shot a final-round 65 and finished 13 under for the tournament to become the youngest winner in the event’s history, a title previously held by a fellow ASU alumni Phil Mickelson.
Rahm led by one putting on the 18th green Sunday, and he jarred a 60-foot eagle putt to increase his lead. He then had to wait it out as the few groups behind him tried to catch him. None of them did.
Rahm came to ASU as a well-known prospect out of Spain. As a Sun Devil he won two Ben Hogan awards, his junior and senior seasons, and the McCormack medal as the top amateur in the world in 2015.
Last summer, he turned pro after earning low amateur honors at the U.S. Open, burning an exemption into the British Open just a few weeks later. He played his way back into the field as a pro, going low and contending at Congressional in his first start playing for cash. It was all part of an intro to the pro game that was one of the best in recent years.
Shot 1: Perfect (early tee pick up)
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 29, 2017
Shot 2: Perfect (club twirl)
Shot 3: Perfect (in the hole)
What nerves? pic.twitter.com/X9lj4cbFRh
even outside of Rahm, the Leaderboard was packed with former Sun Devils; Pat Perz T-4th at -4, Phil Mickelson T-14th at -7, Paul Casey T-28th at -5 and Max Rotluff missed the cut at +7.
ASU men’s golf coach Matt Thurmond even had to take a day off to keep up with all of the action.
I have a lot to watch tomorrow!! pic.twitter.com/twJCaKCFvI
— Matt Thurmond (@MattThurmond) January 29, 2017
Hopefully we see as much success by ASU alumni next weekend at the Waste Management Phoenix Open right here in our back yard.