Rahm triumphs on home soil as Elvira falls away
Jon Rahm delighted the crowd at the Open de Espana on Sunday by claiming a two-shot victory on home soil after Nacho Elvira fell away.
World number four Rahm carded a closing 67 to move to 20 under for the tournament, his birdie at the last coinciding with Elvira posting a double-bogey on the par-three 17th.
An all-Spanish play-off looked on the cards until Elvira found the water with his tee shot on the penultimate hole and, after seeing a brilliant chip for par lip out, had to two-putt what looked like a routine finish.
That sent the 31-year-old down to third behind overnight leader Paul Dunne, who was kept at bay by Rahm with a trio of birdies on a flawless back nine.
Congratulations @JonRahmpga!
-- The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) April 15, 2018
The #OpendeEspaña Champion pic.twitter.com/FmHyiKEzlJ
"It's hard to describe the feeling of satisfaction and pride right now," said Rahm after claiming his first professional victory in his homeland.
"Being able to win this as a pro for the Spanish people feels great, it's hard to describe.
"I knew that if I played my game I could make birdies early on. I started with four perfect shots and that got me going."
Rahm, Dunne and Elvira were tied for the lead on two occasions, but it was the 23-year-old who held his nerve in his 19th Tour event to become the third-quickest player to three titles.
