Two-time DP World Tour Championship winner Jon Rahm will take over Rory McIlroy as World No.1 if he can convert his four-shot lead into victory in Sunday’s final round at the Memorial Tournament as long as the Northern Irishman finishes worse than a two-way tie for second.
Rahm, who won both the Race to Dubai and the European Tour’s season-ending finale last year, holed four consecutive birdies from the 13th as he posted a four under par 68 to lead on 12 under from American duo Ryan Palmer and Tony Finau at Muirfield Village Golf Club.
The Spaniard will become just the second Spanish player to top the Official World Golf Ranking following in the footsteps of the late great Seve Ballesteros who last sat on top of the Ranking in August 1989.
“It’s obviously a big deal,” said Rahm.
“I can’t sit here and try to diminish it and avoid it because it would just be lying to myself because it’s a big deal. But it’s a consequence of me winning. What’s important to me is to hit good shots, be committed and get the job done. Everything else will be taken care of afterwards.”
Current World No.1 McIlroy sits 10 strokes behind Rahm in tied 12th on two under par, while Tiger Woods posted 71 to improve to two over in his first competitive event since February.
Golf fans in the UAE can catch all the action live on golf.tv
