Rahm's Epic Masters Win in 2023: A Major Milestone in Golf History!
Spain's Jon Rahm, the newly crowned Masters champion, embodies the essence of his country's golfing heritage with his combination of power, touch, and feel. At just 28 years old, Rahm is already halfway to achieving a career Grand Slam and has accomplished a remarkable feat by becoming the first European to win both the United States Open and the Masters at Augusta.
Reflecting on his historic win, Rahm said, "If there is something better than achieving something like this, it is making history. To be the first European ever to do this is hard to explain. Out of all the accomplishments and the numerous great players that have come before me, to be the first to achieve something like that, it is a truly humbling feeling."
Rahm made his breakthrough two years ago when he thrillingly won the US Open by holing a stunning curling putt on the 18th green at Torrey Pines. "It is a pretty good duo of majors," he reflected, sitting proudly in his new Green Jacket. "The US Open is as tough a test as you are ever going to find."
His celebration at Augusta on Sunday was equally emotional as he realized that his momentous victory coincided with the 66th anniversary of the birth of the legendary Severiano Ballesteros. Ballesteros had inspired another two-time Masters winner, Jose Maria Olazabal, followed by Sergio Garcia, and now Rahm, who may just become the best of them all.
It's easy to get carried away with one result when the quality of performance is so high. We can read too much into one week, but we must not overlook what the Masters champion is currently achieving.
Like last year's winner Scottie Scheffler, whom he has displaced from the top of the world rankings, Rahm's Green Jacket represents his fourth win of the year when he's on form, he's unbeatable. Europe already knows the identity of their talisman and leader for September's Ryder Cup against the USA in Rome.
Last week, Rahm gave the field a head start by double-bogeying his very first hole due to being on the wrong side of the draw in poor, wet, and windy conditions, and having to battle against a rejuvenated golfing assassin in four-time major champion Brooks Koepka.
But it was one of the great major performances. Rahm won by four strokes, remaining composed as cheers echoed from all parts of Augusta National on a classic final day. He hit fairway after fairway until, as he said, finishing with a "Seve style" par on the last after tangling with the trees. By that time, he already had one arm in the jacket.
And now we allow ourselves to wonder what comes next. Already, we are entitled to consider a career Grand Slam, with the US PGA Championship and The Open the two missing from his resume. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Rahm warned. "I mean, it would be amazing. It would be incredible. Not many people have been able to do it, and to be able to finish it out and close out and do a Grand Slam would be truly amazing."
"I would like to say that I entered the race when I won the US Open, but of course, you are so far away, you don't want to think about it. But as players, it's in your mind. It's something else that would be amazing. But it's a long road ahead to accomplish that. It speaks a lot that players like Phil [Mickelson] and Arnie [Arnold Palmer] were not able to do it."
Rahm's journey to becoming the Masters champion has been fueled by his admiration for Spain's rich golfing legacy. With a combination of power, touch, and feel, Rahm has proven himself to be the complete package. At the age of 28, he is already halfway to achieving a career Grand Slam, a feat accomplished by only a few elite golfers. Rahm has also become the first European to secure victories in both the United States Open and the Masters at Augusta, a historic milestone that he finds humbling.
Reflecting on his recent win, Rahm expressed his emotions, particularly as his victory coincided with the 66th anniversary of the birth of the legendary Severiano Ballesteros, who inspired other Masters champions from Spain such as Jose Maria Olazabal and Sergio Garcia. Rahm's win at Augusta has now placed him among the greatest golfers to hail from Spain.
Rahm's performance at the Masters was exceptional, showcasing his unwavering determination and skill. Despite a challenging start with a double bogey on the first hole, Rahm remained composed and resilient, navigating through adverse weather conditions and tough competition from the likes of Brooks Koepka, a four-time major champion. Rahm's ability to hit fairways consistently and his "Seve style" par on the final hole demonstrated his mastery of the game.
Looking ahead, Rahm acknowledges the possibility of achieving a career Grand Slam by adding the United States PGA Championship and The Open to his resume. While he remains focused on the present and takes one tournament at a time, Rahm acknowledges the significance of such an accomplishment, as it has eluded golfing legends like Phil Mickelson and Arnold Palmer.
Rahm's success this year has been nothing short of remarkable, with his sustained excellence on display at Augusta. His impressive stats, including hitting 86% of fairways and 72% of greens in regulation, highlight his exceptional skills in all conditions. Rahm's win at the Masters also speaks to the continued competitiveness of the LIV Tour, with fellow LIV Tour members like Koepka, Mickelson, and Reed also performing well.
As Rahm basks in the glory of his recent victory, golf fans and pundits alike eagerly anticipate his future performances. With his unwavering determination, remarkable talent, and respect for golfing history, Rahm has the potential to continue making headlines in the world of golf and etching his name in the annals of the sport's illustrious history.