Jon Rahm and Thorbjørn Olesen, teammates in 2018 when the Ryder Cup was last played in Europe, both strengthened their bids to be in Rome this September with respective victories on the PGA TOUR and DP World Tour at the weekend.
Rahm won the Genesis Invitational to extend his lead at the top of the World Points List, while Olesen moved up to 12th on the European Points List after his victory in the Thailand Classic.
Rahm showed little sign of letting up his incredible form as he won his tenth PGA TOUR title at Riviera Country Club to reclaim his place at the top of the Official World Golf Rankings.
A two-under-par, 69 on Sunday, complemented by rounds of 65-68-65 gave the Spaniard a two-shot victory and his third PGA TOUR title of the calendar year. The two-time European Ryder Cup player also overtakes his idol Seve Ballesteros’ PGA TOUR win tally.
"That was a tough week and a tough Sunday," Rahm said.
"Beating Seve, I know he didn't play full time on the PGA TOUR and I know five of those wins are majors, but still, to reach that milestone of double digit wins is pretty incredible.
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"I've never had three PGA TOUR wins in a season and to do it this early on is incredible. Talk about the history of Riviera as a golf course, the history of Tiger Woods as a player, those two combined in this tournament, it's a pretty big deal.
"As a historian of the game, to be able to win a tournament hosted by Tiger and the one previously hosted by Jack (Nicklaus) as well, it's pretty incredible.”
European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald could not have asked for more from Rahm in recent months - his worst finish in his last 13 starts, dating back to August 2022, is a tie for 15th. In that run, he has won a staggering five times, and added a further seven top eight finishes to return to World Number One for the first time since March 2022.
Playing in the same tournament, Shane Lowry and Seamus Power both finished in a tie for 14th place which was enough to see the Irish duo leapfrog Alex Noren and move into the automatic places on the World Points List alongside Norway’s Viktor Hovland, who finished in a tie for 20th.
In Thailand, Olesen stormed to a four-shot victory to win his seventh DP World Tour Title and put himself in the frame for a second Ryder Cup appearance following his debut in Europe’s 2018 triumph in Paris
The Dane fired rounds of 67-67-64-66 to claim the Thailand Classic title at Amata Spring Country Club and climb 16 places on the European Points List into 12th position with 819.50 points.
"It's very special. Obviously the British Masters win (in 2022) was incredible, with my family, and it had been a long time since I won the last time,” Olesen said.
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"But equally this one, all the hard work and all the sacrifice from my wife. It's really nice.
"It felt really good today, felt steady, I felt like I was in control and I just enjoyed playing golf, which was very nice."
Germany’s Yannik Paul was Olesen’s closest challenger, finishing four strokes back on 20-under-par.
The solo second finish sees the German climb eight spots and into the top ten on the European Points List.
It would be a Ryder Cup debut for Paul should he make Captain Donald’s European team at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.
As it stands Rory McIlroy (1,856.50 points) Rahm (1,850.00 points), and Victor Perez (1,252.49 points) would claim the three automatic qualifying spots on the European Points List, with Hovland (65.73 points), Power (51.45 points) and Lowry (51.40 points) currently sitting in the top three positions on the World Points List.
The 2023 Ryder Cup will take place between Sept. 25 – Oct. 1 at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, Rome, Italy.
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