HRGolfGuide.com HERO WORLD FROM PAGE 3


event, his foundation’s event along with Hero, this is really special. I grew up watching all those events and watching Tiger win how many times in a row. I learned a lot from that guy and we owe him – every golfer on the PGA TOUR owes him a lot because everything we play for is because of him.”


Rahm’s young career is suddenly


developing a close, personal connection to PGA TOUR events hosted by Woods and operated by Woods’ TGR Live organization. Rahm thinks of his fellow countryman, Seve Ballesteros, and Woods as his two golfing heroes and inspirations.


In 2016, Rahm tied for third


in his professional debut on the PGA TOUR at the Woods’ hosted National at Congressional CC. Woods was


so impressed with


Rahm’s performance that he sought him out to congratulate him on that Sunday aſter Rahm had finished his round.


Te Hero World Challenge offers


Official World Golf Ranking points and, with his win, Rahm projects to move up two spots in the world rankings to No. 6. Finau projects to move from No. 14 to No. 9, which would mark the first time in his career Finau is within the world’s top 10.


Albany resident and World No. 2


Justin Rose finished the tournament with a 7-under 65 to take third place at 15-under 273.


2014 and 2016 Hero World


Challenge runner-up Stenson shot a 1-under 71 on Sunday to place fourth at 14-under 274. 2017 Hero World Challenge champion Rickie Fowler closed with a 3-under 69 to finish in a tie for fiſth with first- round co-leader Patrick Cantlay at 13-under 275.


Rahm, Finau and Stenson began


the final round in a three-way tie for the lead at 13-under. Rahm made birdies at Nos. 3, 6, 7 and 9 to give him a two-shot lead over Finau and


Stenson at the turn. Finau’s bogey at No. 8 dropped him to 15-under and gave Rahm a solo lead that he would never relinquish.


“Arguably, the best ball-striking


day I’m ever going to have,” Rahm said. “It’s truly one of the most enjoyable walks I’ve had all year for four days, not just because I played well. It’s just really, really fun to be around here.”


Rahm continued on in talking


about how his past studies of Woods helped shape his mindset for his final round. From afar, Woods has been a mentor to Rahm and his influence on his golf game is profound.


“I heard Tiger say once in an


interview…Tiger was talking, he said once he got in the lead, his goal was to never go back to the field. To have the field catch him. Tat’s the same thing I thought today. As soon as I got in the lead, my mind was still forward of myself, keep doing birdies and just keep going on. I didn’t know what kind of a lead I


had until I got to 16 and I was still rifling at the pin.


“I think I’ve seen every video


on YouTube about Seve and Tiger. Every shot that’s ever to be seen on the internet, I’ve probably seen it. It’s because I love the game of golf so much. If you ever see Kelley (Rahm’s fiancée), ask her because when we started dating I still did that. She had no idea about golf and I would just get the laptop and just make her watch all the highlights of Tiger. I’ve seen Tiger’s final round at Pebble (Beach) in 2000 about 150 times.”


“I also use it as a learning curve


because you can learn from all these great things that all these great players have done and use them for yourself.“


Woods completed play in the 72-


hole event with a 1-over 73. Proceeds from the Hero World Challenge benefit the TGR Foundation, Tavistock Foundation and the Bahamas Youth Foundation.


Page 17


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20