Rahm rises back to No. 1 in world
LOS ANGELES — Jon Rahm returned to No. 1 in the world Sunday by winning the Genesis Invitational with a performance that left no doubt who’s playing the best golf. Caught in a battle with hometown favorite Max Homa at Riviera, Rahm delivered two big moments with a 45-foot birdie putt from the fringe on the par-3 14th and then a tee shot to 2 feet for birdie on the par-3 16th.
He closed with a 2under 69 for a two-shot victory over Homa, finishing at 17-under 267.
“Pretty incredible,” Rahm said. “(To win) at a golf course with this legacy, this history and hosted by Tiger Woods, is such an honor.”
Patrick Cantlay got within one shot on the back nine until two bogeys. He had a 67 to finish alone in third, moving him to No. 4 in the world.
Woods had four bogeys in an eight-hole stretch and shot 73 to tie for 45th.
Rahm now has five wins in his last nine starts worldwide, dating to his win in the Spanish Open. He has not finished out of the top 10 in his last 10 tournaments. It was his third win in five starts on the PGA Tour this year.
Langer wins, ties victory record
Bernhard Langer matched Hale Irwin’s PGA Tour Champions victory record of 45, winning the Chubb Classic for the fifth time in Naples, Fla.
The 65-year-old Langer matched his age with a closing 7-under 65 for a three-stroke victory over Steve Stricker and Padraig Harrington.
The Woodlands pair sit in 6th
Preston Stout of Richardson and Duke-bound Bryan Kim (Brookeville, Md.) hold the secondround lead of the AJGA Simplify Boys Championship at The Club of Carton Woods at 8-under 136 going into Monday’s final round.
Kim, who had a share of the first-round lead with Jake Maggert, carded a 3-under 69. Maggert and Aaron Pounds, both of The Woodlands, share sixth place at 5 under.