Rahm outlasts Landry in CareerBuilder playoff
LA QUINTA, CALIF. — Jon Rahm beat Andrew Landry with a 12-foot birdie putt on the fourth hole of a playoff Sunday in the CareerBuilder Challenge golf tournament.
In fading light on the Stadium Course at PGA West, Rahm finished off Landry for his second PGA Tour title and fourth worldwide victory in a year. The 23-year-old Spaniard will jump from third to second in the world ranking behind Dustin Johnson.
“It’s hard to believe, to be honest, passing Jordan Spieth, three-time major champion,” Rahm said. “I only have two wins and he’s got 10-plus, right? I never thought I was going to be at this point in my life right now.”
Rahm overcame surprising par-5 problems in regulation to shoot 5-under 67.
Landry, playing a group behind Rahm in the final threesome, forced the playoff with an 11-foot birdie putt on the water-guarded 18th for a 68. They finished at 22-under 266.
“Tournaments like this build character,” Rahm said. “I’m just proud of myself to hit what’s probably my least favourite club, which is the 3-wood, three times in a row dead centre on my line on 18 — four times if you include the regular play. To be honest, really happy the way it happened the way it did and really proud of the way I played. I hit a lot of bad putts today, hit a lot of edges, but lucky the one I needed to make went in.”
After Rahm made his birdie putt on the fourth playoff hole, Landry missed an 11footer.
Rahm started the week with a career-best 62 at La Quinta Country Club, shot 67 on Friday on the Nicklaus Course and had a 70 at the Stadium on Saturday.
Adam Hadwin (68) of Abbotsford, B.C., Martin Piller (70) and John Huh (66) tied for third at 20 under, and Kevin Chappell (67) and Scott Piercy (70) were a stroke back.