Rahm comes through four-hole play-off, moves second in the world

So what happened at the CareerBuilder Challenge?

Spain’s Jon Rahm, the overwhelming favourite at the start of the week, picked up his second win on the PGA Tour after a four-hole play-off against Andrew Landry in California.

The American birdied the 72nd hole to take it into extra holes and, from there, it was a succession of missed chances for both players before Rahm rolled in a 12-footer at the 18th.

Rahm missed a 9-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole after Landry missed from 17 feet. Then Landry missed from eight feet. They then played the 10th but that only brought another pair of pars before Rahm broke through after taking on the pin from the rough – Landry’s longest putt on the four play-off holes was 22 feet.

Bizarrely Rahm failed to birdie any of the four par 5s in regulation play but still managed a 67 to Landry’s 68. Jason Kokrak had five straight birdies from the 12th to threaten the top of the leaderboard but then found water at the 17th and doubled the 72nd hole.

Rahm is now the World No 2 and this week he defends his title at Torrey Pines.

Fourth playoff hole.
? on the line.
? @JonRahmPGA.#MustSeeMoments pic.twitter.com/c3B7rXDYgZ

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 22, 2018

Talking Point

Don’t expect to see the US Open champion Brooks Koepka any time soon on the PGA Tour. The American is expected to miss the next two and a half months with a partially torn tendon in his left wrist. The hope is that he will be back for the Masters.

In Kapalua two weeks ago where he finished last he said: “It’s not fun. Nobody can come up with an answer (as to how the injury occurred).”

An initial MRI hadn’t shown a tear but after Kapalua he had another look at it and that did show the torn tendon.

He is expected to make a full recovery but will need eight to 12 weeks of rest.

Brooks Koepka

Best Dressed

Yes sir? Take a bow Ben Crane for the outlandish move of wearing this bucket hat in lieu of the bog standard baseball cap. Quite like his slacks and polo too. And the belt.

Ben Crane

Worst Dressed

Not best known for his outstanding dress sense Bubba Watson has excelled himself here. Honestly, what on earth is this? Is reminiscent of some very bad football shirts in the 90s and unlikely to catch on.

Bubba Watson

Best Shots

Sunday

CLUTCH.@AndrewLGolf birdies the final hole to force a playoff with @JonRahmPGA!#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/0OsANsMFxF

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 22, 2018

Striped. pic.twitter.com/H8JbBMIMUD

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 21, 2018

? ?@JonRahmPGA is dialed in @CBGolfChallenge.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/Jqunwffh5k

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 21, 2018

Alone at the top!

A chip-in ? and Piercy is rolling in the final round.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/pLCONexKZ3

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 21, 2018

Saturday

In golf a short memory is ?. pic.twitter.com/Yj1BPxIhRB

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 21, 2018

Up-and-down from a bunker that's 18-feet deep for ??

Just another day at the office for Big John Daly. pic.twitter.com/6xZe7uzPZM

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 20, 2018

Friday

Lefty is ? with a wedge. #ShotOfTheDay pic.twitter.com/UnxU0RpKOR

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 20, 2018

Thursday

8 birdies. 1 eagle.

This is what 10-under looks like. pic.twitter.com/DmliJhIwXA

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 19, 2018

A balancing act. pic.twitter.com/7Vq9bqIk6e

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 18, 2018

Best Tweets

Off to the first round of the @cbgolfchallenge in our '81 gold SL @MercedesBenz . Getting this week started in style! pic.twitter.com/GRqbOndq21

— Ryan Palmer (@RyanPalmerPGA) January 18, 2018

People always ask me how I spend my down time on the road… #Jenga with the kids.. No mercy, pure domination…. #softfingers pic.twitter.com/m3GkblsdFB

— Brandt Snedeker (@BrandtSnedeker) January 19, 2018

Best Stats

Since last year's CareerBuilder Challenge, Jon Rahm has finished in the top 3 in 33% of his starts (9 of 27).

4 wins
3 runners-up
2 third-places

— Sean Martin (@PGATOURSMartin) January 22, 2018

Phil Mickelson is loosely projected to be ranked 45th in the world after his missed cut this week. Phil has been in the top-50 every week since November 28, 1993.

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) January 21, 2018

Brian Harman (currently T-11) has 5 top-10s through 5 starts this season on the PGA Tour. The last player to finish in the top-10 in each of his 1st 6 starts in a season: Tiger Woods in 2008 (made 6 starts, top-10 in all 6 including 4 wins).

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) January 20, 2018