Rahm romps to title as Irish eyes smile on the Scots
JON RAHM’S dearest wish for the final round of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open was to add his own chapter to the rich history of Spanish success in the event. On a special day, the remarkable 22-year-old did that all right, with a spectacular spree including two eagles that saw him demolish the tournament’s scoring records. Sergio Garcia’s first victory on the European Tour was in this event in 1999 and Rahm has now replicated the feat in just his second event on the circuit. The other Spaniards to triumph in Ireland were Jose Maria Olazabal and three-time champion Seve Ballesteros. This was a day when the Scots were also smiling, with Richie Ramsay and David Drysdale finishing tied second and fourth respectively to secure spots at The Open. That was only half the story, though, as Drysdale shot a course record 63, including seven straight birdies, while compatriot Ramsay shot 65. Nice timing ahead of this week’s Scottish Open at Dundonald. Ramsay still finished six shots behind runaway winner Rahm, who said: ‘It feels slightly surreal to join my three heroes on this trophy, but also such an honour.’ His own 65 featured a holed seven iron from 150 yards for one eagle and a putt from 45ft to claim another. The previous record was 21 under par, set by Bernhard Langer in 1994, but Rahm went three strokes better with a 24 under par total. Just over a year ago, while still an amateur, Rahm was ranked 551st in the world. Now he will head to The Open at Royal Birkdale with just seven players ranked above him. The round was not without controversy, though, as Rahm was guilty of incorrectly replacing his ball on the 6th green. After marking it to the side and then moving it one putter head to get out of the way of Daniel Im’s ball, Rahm replaced it in a spot perhaps an inch nearer the hole, thereby turning a 15 inch gimme into a 14 inch one. In the past, he would almost certainly have been penalised two shots. Now, in the more relaxed climate following the Lexi Thompson controversy in April — she was penalised a grotesque four shots for a similar infringement — Rahm was deemed to have shown reasonable judgment and no penalty applied.
THAI amateur Atthaya Thitikul, 14, became the youngest known winner of a professional golf event with victory at the Ladies European Thailand Championship yesterday. Thitikul was not eligible, however, to collect the £40,000 top prize.