Jon Rahm secured a commanding victory at the 2023 Masters on Sunday, earning his first green jacket and second career major with a poised performance at Augusta National.
Rahm receiving his iconic green jacket
Despite a rocky start with a four-putt double bogey, Rahm quickly rebounded and never looked back, carding a final round three-under 69 to finish 12-under for the tournament.
The weather had been a challenge throughout the tournament with multiple suspensions of play over the first two days of the historic major, but Rahm's consistency shone through as he cruised to a four-shot win ahead of Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson, both from the LIV Golf Series on Sunday.
Rahm's victory was particularly significant as it fell on the birthday of the late Spanish golf legend Seve Ballesteros, who had won the Masters in 1980 and 1983. Rahm became the fourth Spaniard to don the coveted green jacket, joining the ranks of Ballesteros, José María Olazábal, and Sergio Garcia.
Rahm's win at the Masters combined with his previous victory at Torrey Pines in 2021 made him the first European golfer to win both The Masters and the US Open.
Reflecting on the historic moment, Rahm expressed his appreciation for the history of the game and the influence of Ballesteros on his career, mentioning how a Ryder Cup in 1997 had shaped his path in golf.
Koepka, who had entered the final round with a two-shot lead, struggled to a three-over 75 finish, while Mickelson turned back the clock with a final round-best 65, becoming the oldest golfer ever to finish inside the top-five at the Masters.
Rahm's victory on Easter Sunday, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of Ballesteros' win, was a deeply meaningful moment for the golfer and his family, and he credited Ballesteros as an inspiration for his success. With his impressive showing at the 2023 Masters, Rahm solidified his status as one of the world's top golfers, ascending to the world No. 1 ranking, surpassing Scottie Scheffler, the reigning Masters champion.
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