What’s in the Bag: Spaniard Jon Rahm Wins CareerBuilder Challenge in Sudden-Death Playoff

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“Tournaments like this build character,” John Rahm said after sinking a 12-foot birdie putt to defeat Andrew Landry on the fourth hole of a sudden-death playoff in the California desert.

They also build careers.

So it’s fitting that the tall and lanky Spaniard claimed the CareerBuilder Challenge as his second victory on the PGA Tour. With the win, Rahm rises to No. 2 in the world rankings behind Dustin Johnson.

“It’s hard to believe, to be honest,” Rahm said about leapfrogging major champion Jordan Spieth in the rankings. “I never thought I was going to be at this point in my life right now.”

Rahm and Landry both finished at 22-under 266 to force overtime at the Stadium Course at PGA West.

“I hit a lot of bad putts today, hit a lot of edges, but lucky the one I needed to make went in,” Rahm said.

From tee to green was a different story, though.

“I’ve been a ball-striking clinic most of the week … it was really supreme ball-striking on my part today. Especially on the back nine, I hit the ball as good as I can.”

As PGATOUR.COM reported, Rahm was seventh in strokes gained off the tee and recorded the longest drive of the week (346 yards) using his new TaylorMade M4 driver. During initial testing with TaylorMade, he was said to gain three mph in ball speed with the new driver.

Rahm plays with TaylorMade equipment. Following is a look at his setup for the CareerBuilder Challenge.

John Rahm’s Clubs
(As reported by PGATOUR.COM)

Driver: TaylorMade M4 (9.5 degrees) with Aldila Tour Green 75TX shaft

5-wood: TaylorMade M3 (19 degrees) with Aldila Tour Green 75TX shaft

Irons: TaylorMade P790 3-iron with True Temper Project X 6.5 shaft; TaylorMade P750 (4-PW) with True Temper Project X 6.5 shafts

Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind (52 and 56 degrees) with True Temper Project X 6.5 shafts; TaylorMade Milled Grind Hi-Toe (60 degrees) with True Temper Project X 6.5 shaft)

Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour Red

Ball: TaylorMade TP5x

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Neil Sagebiel

Neil Sagebiel is a golf writer and author of two golf books published by St. Martin's Press, THE LONGEST SHOT and DRAW IN THE DUNES. He lives in Floyd, Virginia.
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