American Tony Finau held off the threat from Masters champion and world number Jon Rahm to win the Mexico Open on Sunday, shooting a final round 66 to win by three strokes from the Spaniard and claim his sixth PGA Tour title.
Rahm, the defending champion at Vidanta, put himself in contention after a 10-under course-record 61 in his third round on Saturday put him within two strokes.
But his four-under round of 67 on Sunday was not enough to close the gap on Finau, who produced a calm and solid bogey free round, completing a consistent week where he had shot 65, 64 and 65 before the final round.
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The Vidanta course in Puerto Vallarta is a happy hunting ground for Finau, who ended tied for second behind Rahm last year.
That result sparked an upturn in form for Finau, who went on to win three events in seven starts with victories in Minnesota, Detroit and the Houston Open.
Since that last win, Finau has had eight top-ten finishes in 11 events but not been able to add another title until Sunday.
The 33-year-old finished 24-under for the week and was delighted to have got the upper hand on Rahm this time round.
“Rahmbo is the best, top of the world right now, so I knew I was going to have my hands full with him all the way to the end,” he said.
“I didn’t know this tournament was mine until I hit this (last) green. It is crazy how this game is, you never think you have it won until its over. So it feels great,” he added.
Finau birdied the par-3 fifth, the par-4 seventh, the par-3 11th and then the par-5 14th but missed a short putt for birdie on the final hole, where Rahm made birdie.
Rahm, gave himself a glimmer of hope with a birdie on 15, but said he wasn’t surprised at Finau’s calm defence of his lead.
“Yeah, I knew I needed a low one again today… It was a day where I didn’t do much wrong, but I didn’t do much right, either,” said the Spaniard.
Rahm, who played the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head in the week after his Masters triumph before attempting his title defence in Mexico, will take a break before the PGA Championship, starting May 18, in Rochester.
“I probably need a bit of time off, just a little bit of rest. Not too much, just mind, body and soul, I just need it. It’s been a lot of golf. I haven’t had time to really sit back and rest after the Masters. I’m looking forward to do that,” he said.
The finish in Mexico means Rahm has set a record for the most money won in a single season on the PGA Tour.
His $US839,300 ($A1.3 million) in Mexico brings his 2022/23 season total to $US14,462,840 ($A22m).
American Scottie Scheffler amassed $US14,046,910 ($A21m) last season.
It’s a staggering figure considering the season-ending Tour Championship is not until August.
While purses have been substantially increased this season to match the threat of LIV Golf, Rahm has dominated with four wins to rapidly boost his coffers this season.
Rahm has been one of the frontline soldiers for the PGA Tour in its war against LIV Golf, declaring in February 2022 his “fealty” to the former.
“I have a lot of belief in (commissioner) Jay Monahan and the product that they’re going to give us in the future.,” he said.
“There has been a lot of talk and speculation about the Saudi league. It’s just not something I believe is the best for me and my future in golf, and I think the best legacy I can accomplish will be with the PGA Tour.”
Rahm’s career has since continued to head skyward since, with the Spaniard winning this year’s Masters, returning to world No.1, while making the most of the PGA Tour’s increased purses.
That’s not to say that LIV Golf can be easily matched on the prize money front. For context, Talor Gooch won back-to-back LIV events in just seven days, and pocketed A$12.1 million for doing so.
Meanwhile, American Brandon Wu finished third, five strokes behind Finau after making 68 in his final round, but had made a real push early in his round.
Wu birdied the first and third holes before an eagle on the par-5 sixth and a birdie on the seventh.
But he bogeyed the eighth and fell out contention with a double bogey on the par-4 10th, where he drove into the water.
American Akshay Bhatia, the 21-year-old who shot 63 on Saturday, finished fourth after shooting a one-under 70.
