Rahm becomes fourth Spaniard to Win the Masters

Almost 40 years to the day since Seve Ballesteros won his second Masters tournament, and on what would have been his 66^th birthday, fellow Spaniard Jon Rahm won his first Green Jacket thanks to a special comeback victory at Augusta National.

The victory is Rahm’s second Major triumph and sees the two-time Ryder Cup Europe player climb to the top of both the European and World Points Lists, as he looks towards a third consecutive Ryder Cup appearance.

Despite winning by four strokes, Rahm had to overcome plenty of adversity to claim his maiden Green Jacket after four-putting his opening hole of the tournament.

On top of this, weather delays meant to 2021 U.S. Open Champion had to complete 30 holes on Sunday, while also starting four shots behind overnight leader Brooks Koepka.

That gap was cut to two strokes at the end of round three and by the time the pair hit the back nine of their final rounds, Rahm held a two-shot lead of his own.

Incredible back-to-back birdies at the 13^th and 14^th holes gave the 28-year-old a four-shot buffer and, despite only hitting his drive 193 yards on the final hole after hitting a tree, Rahm carded four consecutive pars for a closing 69 and to finish tournament at 12 under par.

"History of the game is a big part of why I play and one of the reasons why I play - and Seve being one of them,” said Rahm.

"If it wasn't for that Ryder Cup in '97 (at Valderrama Golf Club) - my dad and I talk about it all the time - we don't know where I would be or where as a family we would be.

"For me to get it done on the 40th anniversary of his win, his (Ballesteros') birthday, on Easter Sunday, it's incredibly meaningful.

"To finish it off the way I did - an unusual par, very much a Seve par - it was in a non-purposeful way, a testament to him, and I know he was pulling for me today, and it was a great Sunday.

"I thought the eighth was a key birdie. I didn't expect that bogey on the ninth.

"I had to get through Amen Corner level par. That's what I was looking at.

"Obviously Phil (Mickelson) and Jordan (Spieth) were making birdies and finishing strong, and they were finishing their rounds as we were finishing the tenth.

"Making sure I didn't put myself in a difficult spot on ten, 11 and 12 was the key, and then 13 with that right-to-left wind is when I could turn a little bit and get on the attack, and that's what I did."

Viktor Hovland also showed promising signs as he finished in a tie for seventh place – his best finish at the event in four starts.

An opening 65 saw the Norwegian tied for the lead at the end of play on Thursday, with following rounds of 73-70-67 good enough for a second consecutive top ten at a Major, after finishing in a tie for fourth at The Open in 2022.

Hovland now currently sits in the top automatic qualifying spot on the World Points List with 120.92 points.

Matt Fitzpatrick also moved up the rankings and into the top 10 on the World Points List after rounds of 70-72-72-70 saw the 2022 U.S. Open Champion finish in a tie for tenth.

As it stands Rahm (2,883.53 points), Rory McIlroy (2,189.20 points) and Victor Perez (1,286.02 points) would claim the three automatic qualifying spots on the European Points List, with Hovland (120.92 points), Tyrrell Hatton (112.62 points) and Shane Lowry (70.21 points) currently sitting in the top three positions on the World Points List.

The 2023 Ryder Cup will take place between September 25 – October 1 at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, Rome, Italy.

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