Jon Rahm had yet to win on the 2021-22 PGA TOUR, but he wasn’t discouraged.
The world No. 2 arrived at this week’s Mexico Open at Vidanta with full confidence that his game merited a return to the winner’s circle, and the 27-year-old Spaniard delivered with a 17-under performance at Vidanta Vallarta, one stroke clear of a trio of players – Tony Finau, Brandon Wu and Kurt Kitayama.
Rahm displayed competitive fire inside the ropes throughout the week amidst an idyllic setting in western Mexico, but with his wife Kelley and 1-year-old son Kepa in attendance, he quickly flipped the switch outside the ropes.
It made for a winning formula, as Rahm never trailed after any round and closed with four consecutive pars Sunday to secure his seventh TOUR title.
The victory moves Rahm to No. 6 on the season-long FedExCup standings, 500 Points accrued, and he secures a trip to the Sentry Tournament of Champions next January – which was on his mind immediately after walking off the 18th green Sunday, a fitting spot for a pre-tournament family vacation.
“I’m a very different person on and off the golf course, especially when I’m competing on a Sunday,” Rahm said. “That’s the stressful part of the job.” When the final putt dropped, though, the global star had returned to the winner’s circle.
