Now go get the Open: Rahm reigns in Ireland again
Irish Open report: What happened at Lahinch?
Jon Rahm overturned a five-shot deficit on Sunday to claim his second Irish Open title in three years.
The Spaniard fired a closing round of 8-under-par and was 3-under through his final five holes, which proved enough to soar above overnight leader, Robert Rock.
16 under par. Three shot lead.
Rahm's love affair with Ireland looks set to continue.#DDFIrishOpen #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/iiSemNNeoE
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) July 7, 2019
Rahm tied his lowest ever score on the European Tour with a 62 on Sunday, a day after Rock had recorded a course record 60, the lowest round in Irish Open history.
A putt for 59. Relive Robert Rock's incredible round 🎥#DDFIrishOpen #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/S33zbV58aB
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) July 6, 2019
Incredibly, the champion’s final round contained two bogeys and yet his low round still seemed simple.
Incredible golf from @JonRahmpga!#DDFIrishOpen #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/baOntzSIkp
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) July 7, 2019
In the end the chasing pack, which included Rafa Cabrera Bello and Bernd Wiesberger as well as Rock, were not able to hunt down Rahm, who will move up to 8th in the world rankings.
With the victory, the 24-year-old heads to the top of the Race to Dubai standings, dethroning England’s Matt Wallace.
It's not over yet, but the engraving has started ✍🏻#DDFIrishOpen #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/rgYgNWrHga
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) July 7, 2019
Rahm has proven his love of links on the Irish coast, now it’s time for him to step up at the Open. With it being held in Portrush, there is no better time.
Irish Open report: Talking point
Made in Denmark champion Wiesberger is one of three players who secured their spot in the Open field at Lahinch.
The two prizes up for grabs today:
🏆 #DDFrishOpen
👥 Three #TheOpen spots pic.twitter.com/GotMiyd1PS— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) July 7, 2019
There were three places available for those finishing inside the top 10 who were not already qualified.
The Austrian grabbed his place alongside 54-hole leader Robert Rock and it was Paul Waring who finished his fourth round with a flurry to sneak into the third space.
Waring found four birdies in his last five holes to fire himself inside the top 10 and a share of 7th place.
It will be just the fourth time that the Englishman has played in the Open, meanwhile Rock will be teeing it up in his eighth.
There are three final spots up for grabs at next week’s Scottish Open, so there’s still hope for those without a spot.
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Lahinch Golf Club welcomed the European Tour spotlight for the first time this week and boy was it special.
18 holes to play. Goodnight Lahinch 🌇#DDFIrishOpen #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/xgNWrmfCG0
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) July 6, 2019
In a similar way to the British Masters at Hillside, the crowds flocked to the links in sell-out numbers.
A man casually taking his horse for a swim.
Just another day at the #DDFIrishOpen. pic.twitter.com/WDDjTIuolr
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) July 5, 2019
The locals made the event one to remember and really helped to put the town of Lahinch as well as the golf course in the spotlight.
An incredible 16,228 fans attended day one of the #DDFIrishOpen
Thanks to everyone for coming. pic.twitter.com/sWYKaFk0zX
— DDF Irish Open (@DDFIrishOpen) July 4, 2019
What happened on the PGA Tour? It was a thrilling finish at the 3M Open. You can read my report here.
Joe Hughes
Tour editor covering men's golf, women's golf and anything else that involves the word golf, really. The talk is far better than the game, but the work has begun to change that.
