GOLF
Jon Rahm 'can't believe what happened' after BMW stunner
Jon Rahm tried to reflect on his incredible victory at the BMW Championship on Sunday.
BMW Championship winner Jon Rahm said he "still can't believe what just happened" after holing a monster 66-foot birdie putt to trump Dustin Johnson in a thrilling play-off.
Rahm emerged triumphant against FedEx Cup leader Johnson in stunning fashion thanks to an incredible putt on the first play-off hole at the Olympia Fields Country Club on Sunday.
Eyeing back-to-back titles and seeking a record sixth FedEx Cup play-offs trophy, Northern Trust champion Johnson forced a sudden-death showdown thanks to a clutch 43-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole.
After finishing level at four under through 72 holes, world number one Johnson and the second-ranked Rahm went head-to-head in a play-off and the latter drained a tremendously tough putt for his second victory of the season.
"I've said many times, I process things so after the fact that I can't really explain," Spanish star Rahm said after winning the second FedEx Cup play-off event ahead of the lucrative Tour Championship. "I think I'm still on the play-off hole mentally.
"I still can't believe what just happened, what happened the last hour of play. You know, especially from my 15th hole on, making birdie on that hole with a six-iron with my third shot, and then birdied the par-three and have chances on the last two.
"That stretch of waiting for DJ, him making the putt, going in the play-off, me making the putt, then trying to stay mentally in it just in case he made the last putt, it's been a rollercoaster but so much fun. I think the best way I can explain it is it was just a lot of joy on the golf course for me. Not because I played good but because that's what I set out to do. It's a difficult course. You have to play good.
"People were playing good early so I knew we could get some birdies in and have a lot of fun doing it. That's probably the reason why everything turned out the way it did. Stayed aggressive because I was feeling comfortable with the driver, and it paid off."
Asked if his victory was the ultimate way to finish an event, Rahm, who carded a six-under-par 64 in regulation, replied: "I would have rather not be in the play-off, but no, given that, yeah, probably the closest, best thing.
"I certainly don't want the stress that goes along with seeing DJ's ball in the fairway and then my ball in the rough and he hits it to 30 feet, I hit it to 60 and what's going on in my mind, but if you're going to tell me I'm going to make a 66 footer to win a tournament I'll take that any day.
"I think we all want the flashy finish, maybe not the stress that comes with it, but I set out with myself to enjoy even the uncomfortable moments we had out there today, and man, it was fun. So yeah, pretty close to the best way to finish it."