LOS ANGELES — Finally, the Official World Golf Rankings reflect the results of the grounds from Hawaii to Palm Springs, and now Pacific Palisades. Jon RahmThe best golfer currently in the world.
Rahm said that he didnt need to be ranked in order for anything to be validated after his round on Sunday. Im having one of the best seasons of my life.
The 28-year old Spaniard not just won his third season win (the 10th of PGA Tour career) at the Genesis Invitational this Week to claim the top spot. He also held off 22 of the 25 best players in the world who teed up at Riviera Country Club this Week for the tours third designated tournament. Rahm was also praised for his long-standing position in the top spot, which was the week he returned to competition.
Please understand and appreciate how great this guy is, tournament host Tiger WoodsDespite finishing the tournament at 1-under, he was still wearing Sunday red and spoke during the post round trophy ceremony. Hes just beginning.
Rahm admitted that he was nervous for Sundays final round because of all that was at stake. Rahm also mentioned that he was nervous about Sundays finish because of the perspective he gained from having his sons Kepa, and Eneko around, has allowed him to focus on golf at the right times. He was not shy about the personal significance this victory had for him.
Rahm stated, Its always been a tournament Ive wanted win, Later, he added in Spanish that despite being a stressful day, hearing Tiger award him with the tournament was worth it.
Woods presence is still overwhelming and all-consuming. His presence in the game was evident in the huge crowds and the constant attention he receives. His career has moved to a new stage. His attendance at tournaments will be limited. The constant search for his successor apparent has now turned into an appreciation of how his influence has made it more difficult to win on tour. This is what makes Rahm’s season so impressive. Even the guy who almost beat him Sunday. Max HomaHe was called Thanos
I was able to match very little of [Tigers career]Rahm agreed. And hopefully Im able to keep doing a lot more great things this year to get my name up there for one of his years.
Rahm became the first PGA Tour participant since 2002 on Sunday Justin ThomasIn 2016-17, he won three times in March. His dominance extends far beyond the numbers. It is clear that Rahm is a leaderboard buoyant whenever hes in the field. Rahms game looks well-prepared to make this an even more historic year with four majors and a lot more designated events.
Here are some other things that happened at Riviera this weekend
When will Tiger be seen again?
There is a possibility that golf fans might see. Tiger WoodsIn two weeks, he will play in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which Woods has won eight times. Or The Players, which is the tours most prestigious event, the week following. Woods said he was only going to play in the four majors plus two or three other events per season. However, it seems more likely that Woods wont be on tour again until the Masters on April 6-9.
Woods stated, My intention last year was to participate in all four majors. I got three out of the four. Im hoping to be able to get all four, and maybe a few extras here and there. Thats all for the rest. I know that, and I get it. Thats just my reality.
Woods was able 72 holes for the first-time in 10 months. This was his first official tournament after he was seriously injured in a wreck in February 2021. Woods stated that the walk at Riviera was more difficult than it seemed. Woods was asked if it was the hills or the general wear and tear on his body.
Woods stated that his recovery from round-to-round includes sleeping in ice, then waking up the next day to reactivate his muscles.
Woods stated that he lays in ice all night. Its not enjoyable, its very cold all of the time. Then, treatment. After that, you can get your muscles activated again and then go back to the cold. Its hard to see the ebb & flow of it all. Its mentally and physically exhausting.
Moving up or down
Moving up
English has been working hard to get back to his best after missing five months due to surgery to repair his right labrum. He had six birdies on Sunday and carded a bogey free 65. He tied for 12th with 8 under.
The Australian is still going strong. He finished at 9 under, tied for ninth, with 13 birdies in his final two rounds. He finished at 9 under and tied for ninth. This was his fourth consecutive top-20 finish.
The 2019 U.S. Open winner has struggled with his form for some time, but a tie to ninth is a step forward. He played three rounds in the 60s, before posting an even-par round of 71 on Sunday. Woodland stated that he had been working on his swing and pushing too hard in competition.
Woods wasn’t alone in his 40s trying to make a comeback. Kuchar shot 66 in his first round, 67 in the second and finished eighth at 10 under. This was his second top-10 finish in four of his previous starts. Kuchar also missed Augusta National last season. This was the first time since 2009 that he had missed the Masters.
Canadas Svensson had not done much since he won the RSM Classic in November. He tied for ninth at 9 over after two missed cuts.
Moving down
The Spieth rollercoaster ride continued. He missed the Riviera cut after tying for sixth place at the WM Phoenix Open. He lost more strokes to the field from the tee, and three strokes in putting. This is not a recipe to be successful.
Matsuyama couldnt figure out Rivieras poa annua greens, which is why he was unable to make the cut. He had to putt 61 times in two rounds, and he lost more than three strokes on the greens.
Rose, who had won in his previous start at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, had made the cut in 11 of his previous 12 starts at Riviera. Rose missed three fairways on Thursday, and then he hit eight on Friday.
Burns was absent from Riviera after his back-to-back top-15 finishes. Burns has missed the cut in three out of five Genesis starts.
The U.S. Open champion, who has been in the top five for three years, missed the cut in his last two starts. He finished 29th in the WM Phoenix Open. The Englishman, who was tied for fifth at Riviera, had only three birdies over 36 holes.
The best of the weekend
Best drive
Wave as you pass, Rory McIlroy.
Oh, STOP IT Rory! 🤯 @McIlroyRoryAbsolutely crushed his tee shot of 385 yards down fairway. #Stealth2Driver #Fargivenesspic.twitter.com/Cl9bDsHtbx
— TaylorMadeGolfEurope (@TaylorMadeTour) February 17, 2023
Best tee shot
Tiger needed only three more rounds to record his first ace at an official PGA Tour event in 1997.
ALMOST an Ace for @TigerWoods 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WMaBgyaH1S
— PGA TOUR LIVE (@PGATOURLIVE) February 17, 2023
Best approach
It didnt even bounce
Hey @NBAonTNTWe all know that tomorrows dunk contest is on, but can we get a score? @XSchauffele pic.twitter.com/TqEkIx95kG
— Callaway Golf (@CallawayGolf) February 18, 2023
Best sand shot
A classic look, a classy shot Keith Mitchell.
Creative with the bunker shot👏@K_m_MitchellHe uses the slope to his advantage. pic.twitter.com/ahJkib4aZl
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 18, 2023
Best up and most importantly down
Homas fried egg in a wall
HOW?!@MaxHoma23With the par save the day @TheGenesisInv. pic.twitter.com/sfR3TIgMuE
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 18, 2023
Best putt
Collin, this is a great way to use the backstop.
Amazing putt, better reaction😂
Co-leader @Collin_MorikawaCouldnt believe that this one was dropped! @TheGenesisInv. pic.twitter.com/PhTOqWXgdD
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 17, 2023
Best break
Jon RahmIt is unlikely that it will ever be repeated again.
Jon Rahm almost makes it on the par-5 17th, but makes an eagle.pic.twitter.com/lbYnq3IgNj
— Golf Central (@GolfCentral) February 18, 2023
The best social media
That one is indeed for you.
What a moment!❤️ @TigerWoodsChecked off the second item for this young fan @TheGenesisInv ✅ https://t.co/apUl88V4eP pic.twitter.com/n2VEugYwKg
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 19, 2023
He is at least truthful.
Sometimes you just need to beg a bit… https://t.co/TAvDY7EknO
— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) February 19, 2023
Start em young.
All smiles while you watch @TigerWoods today. pic.twitter.com/bb6pdqrZ72
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 18, 2023
LA was awash with stars. From Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen Rob Lowe
Josh Allen: Big Tiger Woods guy pic.twitter.com/b4VR2WsgpV
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) February 19, 2023
The stars are like us.
Just ask @RobLowe 🤩 pic.twitter.com/5Stz07vL3c
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 17, 2023
Love somebody like Tiger loves JT.
This is how Tiger and JT look💯 pic.twitter.com/qnF2roCSIZ
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 17, 2023
What do you think?
Abraham Lincoln, our 16th President, is in the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame with an impressive record of 299-1. Just thought you would like to know.🤷♂️
Have a great day and congrats on the KC Chiefs.— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) February 13, 2023
