Rahm wins at Riv

The golf world has a new No. 1 player after Jon Rahm shot a final-round 2-under-par 69 at The Riviera Country Club en route to two-shot victory at The Genesis Invitational. For Rahm, it was the 10th PGA TOUR victory of his career, including his third of the current season, and his fifth triumph in his past nine starts worldwide.

Competing in a field that boasted 19 of the world’s top 20 golfers, the stars were shining under the sun at Riviera. But, at the moment, Rahm is currently in a stratosphere unto himself.

“I’m having the best season of my life and hopefully I can keep it going,” Rahm said after his victory.

On the back nine at Riviera, Rahm briefly lost the lead to 2021 Genesis Invitational champion Max Homa with a bogey on No. 12 but closed out the victory flexing all facets of his game. A 46-foot putt on the 14th hole got the crowd going and, on the par-3 16th hole, Rahm stuck his tee shot within two feet for a tap-in birdie.

Rahm made his professional debut at a PGA TOUR event hosted by Tiger Woods. He won the 2018 Hero World Challenge, also hosted by Woods, and now boasts a victory at Riviera among his impressive resume.

Homa, a native of Valencia, Calif., finished runner-up at 15-under 269, followed by UCLA product and Long Beach, Calif. native Patrick Cantlay, who placed third at 14-under 270. Woods completed the tournament with a score of 1-under 283.