JON RAHM WINS THE US OPEN

HIGHLIGHTS

Father’s Day 2021 will be forever etched in TravisMathew Team member Jon Rahm’s memory. Rahm captured his first Major championship with a victory at the 121^st US Open on June 20. With the birth of his son Kepa in April of this year, the win also marked Jon’s first as a father. The 26-year-old Rahm won America’s national golf championship by one stroke, making him the first Spaniard to claim the title.

The win capped off an emotional few weeks for Jon. On June 5, Rahm was in a commanding lead at the Memorial Tournament in Ohio, when he tested positive for coronavirus and had to withdraw from the final round. The gut-wrenching blow resulted in self-quarantine for two weeks, during which he also missed the arrival of his parents from Spain as they met Kepa for the first time.

With his clearance to resume play, Rahm was pumped to be competing at the Torrey Hills Golf Course for a national championship. The San Diego location holds a special place for Jon and his wife Kelly as he proposed at the nearby Torrey Pines Reserve Park. Things just felt right even before the tournament began.

Rahm opened the tournament with rounds of 69-70-72 and began the final round three strokes behind the leaders: Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa, Russell Henley of the United States, and Mackenzie Hughes of Canada. While wearing his signature Sunday red in the TravisMathew Heater polo, Open to Close pant, and leather Wildcard golf shoe, Jon made birdies at the first two holes, putting him on track for a great start to an event packed with its share of drama. With about two hours left in the tournament, nearly 10 players were still considered to be contenders for the prize.

Beginning at the 10^th hole, Rahm reeled off a streak of seven consecutive pars, including a critical putt he nailed from 20 feet on the 16^th hole. As the momentum of others in the pack dwindled, play became a duel between Rahm and Oosthuizen for the lead. Sometimes known for his emotions on the course, Jon kept his game cool and steady as he went into the 17^th hole, trailing Oosthuizen by one stroke.

At the 17^th hole, Jon directed his tee shot to the right of the fairway, followed by his approach onto the green. He then landed a 24-foot downhill putt into the hole for a birdie and a tie for the lead. On the par-5 18th hole, Rahm sank another 18-foot curving putt, finishing play with another birdie to the whoops and absolute mayhem of cheering fans.

Oosthuizen had an opportunity to catch Rahm, but his tee shot on the 17^th landed his ball in a ravine and led to a bogey. Even a birdie on the 18^thhole was not enough to force a playoff. Rahm finished the final round four-under par with a score of 67, making tournament history. As the first Spaniard to clinch the US Open championship, he ended a six-year streak of American winners in the event.

As he celebrated on the 18^th green, Rahm held his infant son, surrounded by his wife, parents, and members of his extended family, three generations of the Rahm family creating history of their own.

We are honored to have Jon Rahm as a member of our TravisMathew and Cuater Teams. We couldn’t be happier to celebrate with him on his well-deserved victory!