It’s not just a win for Jon Rahm at the Genesis Invitational. It is a hurricane that hits world golf. The Basque won his third title of 2023 on the PGA Tour (third success out of six races played) and returned to first place in the world rankings.
But of course it doesn’t end there.
Jon Rahm, statements
By number of victories on the American circuit Jon Rahm has surpassed an absolute legend like his compatriot Severiano Ballesteros. With the one in California he reached ten in his career.
Severiano stopped at nine (but with five Major titles i.e. two Masters and three British Open) in 151 events played. At the age of 28 years, 3 months and 9 days, the champion born in Barrika is in double figures for the number of successes (including a Major, the 2021 US Open) in just 137 games played.
Since 1960 the Spaniard is only the fourth player to achieve ten successes on the circuit before the age of 30. For every hole played, Rahm collects $26,000
The victory allowed him to return, for the first time since March 26, 2022, to the world throne by overcoming the American Scottie Scheffler, only 12th at the Genesis Invitational and at the top of the ranking for only one week.
Rahm’s bank account also benefits from the success, increasing by about 3.6 million dollars in one fell swoop. In total prize money alone, he took home $44,888,792. In 2023 someone took the trouble to do the math in his pocket.
The data that emerges are impressive: the Basque won a total of 9.4 million dollars in 2023 alone, or 1.8 million for each race played. That equates to $26,000 for every hole played and a whopping $7,000 for every single shot hit so far.
The icing on the cake for John Rahm is the words of Tiger Woods who, at the Genesis Invitational returned to the PGA Tour after the long stop due to the accident in February 2021. “Jon Rahm is the strongest – said Tiger -” He is the best player in the world and it proved it.
Heart, grit and charisma are just some of his characteristics. It’s very strong.” The Spaniard’s answer is precise. “Thank you Tiger, winning your tournament is an honor. Reaching double digits is something incredible but I hope it’s just the beginning ”he said.
“As far as comparisons with Ballesteros are concerned, he has won five Grand Slams while I’m still stuck at one. I’m reaping the fruits of years of work and I feel like a good player. I strive every day to try and be a good father, husband, and best friend. These are my priorities.”
