The World No. 2 arrived in Vidanta Vallarta as the favourite and performed true to predictions with a commanding efficiency throughout the primary three rounds, opening with a seven-under 64 as he headed into the ultimate day with a two-shot lead.
“Thursday, Friday I performed superb and I used to be in unbelievable management of my recreation, it appeared like nothing actually might go fallacious,” Rahm mentioned throughout his post-tournament press convention.
Nonetheless, scintillating Sunday performances from Wu and Finau — who had begun the ultimate spherical seven photographs adrift of Rahm — left Rahm going through a nervy back-nine.
After a bogey on the 10th, three pars both facet of a birdie on the 14th left Rahm needing to par on the par-5 remaining gap. Regardless of driving his tee shot into the tough, Rahm recovered to par, ending two-under 69 and clinching his seventh PGA Tour title.
“I didn’t suppose that having a par-5 the place a fade off the tee shot was required I would be stressing this a lot, however I received it executed on the finish.”
Return to No. 1?
Victory in Mexico implies that Rahm now has a minimum of one win in every of his final six skilled seasons, because the 27-year-old seems to reel in Scottie Scheffler on the high of the world rankings.
“It feels good to get this primary win executed,” added Rahm. “Early within the season I had a pair possibilities and I could not shut it out. As we speak was a battle however I received it executed.
“My first wire-to-wire victory. Though it was onerous on the finish I am going to take it,” he added.
He may have the possibility to make up floor on Scheffler on the PGA Championship at Southern Hills on Could 19, however Rahm additionally eying an impression past titles.
Reflecting on the legacy of his hero and compatriot Seve Ballesteros, Rahm believes he might help proceed to develop the sport in Mexico.
“I play due to him [Seve] and these days we’ve a a lot greater attain, the PGA Tour is changing into a much bigger tour and with social media we’re worldwide stars — greater than they have been up to now — and I really feel like I could make some impression in Mexico as nicely,” Rahm mentioned.
“You possibly can even see golf rising in Mexico. It is a true honor to have the ability to come right here on this first version of the occasion and be the champion.”