Jon Rahm returns to World Number One with Genesis Invitational win

Jon Rahm returned to the top of the Official World Golf Ranking with his third PGA TOUR victory of 2023 at the Genesis Invitational in California.

The Spaniard, who was last ranked World Number One in March 2022, carded a two-under 69 in the final round on Sunday to beat American Max Homa by two shots.

The win sees Rahm replace American Scottie Scheffler, who was nine shots adrift at Riviera Country Club, as World Number One.

It is his fifth victory in his last nine worldwide starts, dating from the acciona Open de España presented by Madrid in October 2022, and tenth on the PGA TOUR, one more than his idol Seve Ballesteros.

“Beating Seve, I know he didn’t play full time on the PGA TOUR and I know five of those wins are majors, but still, to reach that milestone of double-digit wins is pretty incredible,” he said.

“And to do it at a golf course with this legacy, this history and hosted by the man himself, Tiger Woods, it’s a true honour.”

The 2021 U.S. Open Champion began the final round with a three-shot lead, but he fell a stroke behind 2021 Genesis Invitational champion Homa following his third bogey of the day on the 12th.

However, Homa then dropped a shot at the 13th after an errant tee shot and Rahm hit the front again by holing a s45-foot birdie putt from the back of the par-three 14th.

Rahm then gave himself a two-shot cushion as a brilliant tee shot to inside three feet on the 16th set up another birdie.

And he safely parred the final two holes to finish the tournament on 17 under par and extend his lead at the top of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup.

“I think I'm just prouder of myself (for) resetting when things got difficult,” Rahm added.