10 April 2023 , 09:13
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Jon Rahm paid tribute to legendary golfer Seve Ballesteros after holding his nerve to win a first Masters title at Augusta National.
Brooks Koepka held a two-shot lead going into the final round but faded on Sunday as Rahm carded a three-under round of 69 to finish on 12 under par and win by four shots. Koepka shot 75 to finish joint second with veteran Phil Mickleson on eight under.
Rahm, who won his first Major at the 2021 US Open, became the fourth Spanish player to win the Masters. And he did so on what would have been the 66th birthday of his compatriot Ballesteros, who won in 1980 and 1983.
Rahm has often spoken of the important influence of Ballesteros on his career; the 28-year-old’s father took up golf after watching Ballesteros captain Europe to victory in the 1997 Ryder Cup at Valderrama.
“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, 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.
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“For me to get it done on the 40th anniversary of his win, his birthday, on Easter Sunday, it’s incredibly meaningful.”
Jon Rahm became the fourth Spaniard to win the Masters (David J Phillip/AP/REX/Shutterstock)He added: “To finish it off the way I did, an unusual par, very much a Seve par, it was [unintentionally] a testament to him, and I know he was pulling for me today. This one is for Seve. I knew he would be up there helping and help he did.”
Despite playing in America, there was plenty of Spanish support for Rahm at Augusta, with two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal present at the 18th green to celebrate with his compatriot.
“He said he hopes it’s the first of many more,” Rahm explained of their embrace after the winning putt. “We both mentioned something about Seve and if had gone on 10 more seconds, I think we would have both ended up crying.
“I like to see history kind of repeating itself because when Ollie won his second Masters in ’99, [2017 champion] Sergio [Garcia] was the low am. My first start was the year Sergio won.”
Coming into the tournament, Rahm was one of the firm favourites for the Masters. He had picked up three wins on the PGA Tour this year and had put in strong performances at the Masters, achieving four top-10 finishes in six previous starts.
He delivered with an opening round of 65 and subsequent scores of 69, 73 and 69 to don the famous green jacket for the first time. His victory also saw him overtake Scottie Scheffler to become world number one.