CareerBuilder Challenge: Jon Rahm Of Spain Wins In Playoff

LA QUINTA, CA – Spaniard Jon Rahm defeated American Andrew Landry with a birdie on the fourth extra hole to win the $5.9 million CareerBuilder Challenge, becoming the second-youngest winner in the tournament's 59-year history.

Both golfers parred each of the first three holes of the playoff Sunday at PGA West's Stadium Course, playing the 18th hole twice, then moving to the 10th. Both holes are par-4s.

The playoff returned to the 18th hole for the fourth hole. Rahm sank a 12-foot putt and Landry then missed an 11-foot putt to give Rahm his second PGA Tour title in his 38th career start.

"I had a good feeling going into today," said Rahm, who began the round tied for fourth, two shots behind leader Austin Cook, who shot a 3-over 75, dropping into a three-way tie for 14th.

The playoff was Rahm's first as a professional. He turned pro in 2016 after getting his degree in communications from Arizona State University,

"I just always hoped I would go through my career without having to deal with a playoff," Rahm said. "In the playoff I was just not making the putts. I was just scared that Andrew was going to take the lead hand and make the putt. I just got fortunate that none of us really made any and I was able to make the one that mattered."

Rahm missed a 9-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole after Landry missed from 17 feet. Landry missed an 8-foot putt on the second extra hole. Both players two-putted the third extra hole.

Rahm received $1.062 million for the victory, Landry $637,200 for the best finish in his 26 tournaments on the PGA Tour.

Rahm shot a bogey-free 5-under-par 67 Sunday, including going 3-under on the back nine with birdies on the 10th, 13th and 14th holes.

"On the back nine I hit the ball as good as I can, didn't miss many shots," Rahm said.

Rahm's 13-foot putt for a birdie on his final hole in regulation rolled just to the right of the cup.

Rahm then had to wait to see how Landry, who was playing in the group behind him, fared when he played the 18th. Landry sank an 11-foot putt for a birdie to complete the round at 4-under 68 and force the playoff.

The victory moved Rahm one spot up in the Official World Golf Ranking to second behind American Dustin Johnson, passing Jordan Spieth, who did not play this week, spending part of the time in Las Vegas to promote the release of his new golf shoes. Johnson tied for ninth in the European Tour's Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in the United Arab Emirates.

"It's hard to believe, to be honest, passing Jordan Spieth, three- time major champion, I only have two wins, he's got 10-plus, right?" Rahm said. "I said it many times, I never thought I was going to be at this point in my life right now."

Rahm was 23 years, 2 months and 11 days old Sunday. Jack Nicklaus is the tournament's youngest winner.

He was 23 years and 13 days old when he won the tournament in 1963 when it was known as the Palm Springs Golf Classic.

Spieth has 11 victories on the PGA Tour. Rahm won two tournaments on the European Tour in 2017 which also figure into his ranking. His other PGA Tour victory came in last year's Farmers Insurance Open, which he will begin defense of Thursday at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla.

PHOTOS: 1-3: Winner Rahm with trophy; 4-5: Rahm discussing his win; 6-8: winning putt and congratulations; 9-13: Landry, tee shots and putts; 14-16: Bob Hope cart with list of winners; 17-25: Rahm at play; 26-29: in Saturday play, former NFL player John Elway was in trouble after second shot on Hole 9, but made awesome recovery shot and ended round with a birdie on the 18th hole; 30-31: During Saturday play, Scott Piercy ended third round play two shots behind the leader.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Andrew Landry Leads CareerBuilder Challenge Entering Third Round

• Jon Rahm Leads CareerBuilder Challenge Entering Second Round

• CareerBuilder Challenge 2018: Day 1 Photo Show

• Arnold Palmer Statue To Be Unveiled In La Quinta

• Coachella Valley Teen Golf Star To Play In PGA Tour Event

--City News Service/Photos via Jim Edwards