LOS ANGELES — Jon RahmHe has a game for every place he plays, be it in Spain, Dubai or Hawaii, or even California. This is what makes Rivieras final round so difficult for those who are lucky enough to catch him.
Rahm was bogey-free Saturday at the Genesis Invitational, pulling away Max HomaAnd Keith MitchellBy keeping his clean card, he was able to stay on track late in the round. He finished the round with a birdie on Homas final hole, giving him a 6-under 65 score and a three-shot advantage over Homa.
Sunday is Sundays chance at regaining No. He would be ranked No. 1 in the World, which would reflect his play of the last six months.
Rahm did not take anything for granted.
Someone is going to shoot a round thats 4, 5, 6, or 7 under. It happens at every tournament, so I have the responsibility to be aware of it and to shoot a 60s round in order to have a chance to win. Rahm agreed. Just be aware that I have to keep doing what its been doing.
Homa, a 30 mile away from her home, was a participant in this tournament as a child. She won the tournament two years later. Rahm started with a one shot lead and continued to follow Rahm step-for-step. Mitchell was also in the group, and they combined for 12 birdies along with no bogeys over 14 holes on a course that played to a 70.31 average.
Homa smiled and said, I messed it up.
Although he did not lose confidence, he did hurt his chances. Homa made a bogey at the Riviera fairway bunker 15th. He then missed another par shot from 10 feet after finding bunker on the 16th. Homa shot 69.
This was enough for Rahm to have an edge.
Homa has six victories on the PGA Tour — three in the past nine months — and he has come out of behind in all but two of them.
It gives my confidence, I guess. Jon has a different test. Homa stated that Jon played very well today. But I feel like my week hasnt been as successful as the first, and even then, I felt like I could have done a better job. Im encouraged. Tomorrow is a great day. Im going need to play a great round of golf.
Mitchell made his last bogey at the 18th hole, and had a score of 69 to finish four behind. Only one other player was within five shots of Mitchell. Patrick Cantlay (68).
Mitchell made two errors. He drove into the bunker on the 17th par-5, which prevented him from reaching the green. And he drove on the 18th, which led to a missed par putt.
Mitchell said, To play 16 great holes without making a mistake in the last group on Saturday is all you want. Jon played an amazing round, so I will have to do something extra tomorrow to catch up.
Rahm has been the top player in golf for the past six months. He has been a top-10 finisher in nine consecutive tournaments since the BMW PGA Championship on European tour. He won four of them.
All that is needed is a return at No. He can return to No. 1 in the world with a victory Sunday.
Rahm is 15-under 198. You have one more shot on Sunday. The oldest 72-hole scoring record of the PGA Tour is also in the range — 20-under 264 Lanny Wadkins1985
Rahms only concern is another win that would give him the ranking he embodies at the moment.
This story was contributed by the Associated Press.