Jon Rahm wins Memorial to become world’s #1 golfer

Jon Rahm is now the number one ranked golfer in the world after winning The Memorial Tournament by three strokes.

Jon Rahm has become the first Spaniard to rise to the top of the world golf rankings since Seve Ballesteros in 1989. Rahm claimed an easy three-stroke victory over American Ryan Palmer and being congratulated by Jack Nicklaus with a fist bump.

But the victory wasn’t simple.

Halfway through the final round of the Memorial Tournament in Ohio, Rahm was cruising to victory with an eight-stroke lead. And while Rahm’s win was never really in doubt, things didn’t go so smoothly over the closing nine-holes.

Rahm dropped three shots at the 10th and 11th holes. Another bogey at the 14th and his lead over Ryan Palmer was cut to four strokes.

What you won’t see in the official video highlights was the footage of Rahm’s golf ball moving before chipping in for birdie at the par-3 17th hole.

https://twitter.com/CBSSportsHQ/status/1284994226594500609

Initially, the incredible shot gave Rahm a five-shot lead going down the 18th. However, officials took a closer look and handed Rahm a two-stroke penalty for the rules infraction, meaning Rahm’s eventual win was just three shots.

Jon Rahm addresses the possibility of his ball moving prior to chipping it in on 16. pic.twitter.com/y5KNRUlzBx

— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) July 19, 2020