MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Jon Rahm’s hot start didn’t carry over into a win at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational. But Rahm, who finished seventh at 10-under, won big for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
He, Justin Thomas, Patrick Reed and Max Homa raised a combined $49,400 after pledging to donate for every birdie and eagle they made this tournament.
Rahm raised $23,000 after scoring 18 birdies and an eagle. Both he and Thomas pledged $1,000 for each birdie and $5,000 for each eagle.
“(It’s) such a great event thanks to the atmosphere that’s created around this event and what we’re playing for, that just giving back, it cost nothing to me honestly,” Rahm said Sunday. “It’s no effort, and I’m just happy I can hopefully make somebody smile today.”
Thomas, who was the first to make the pledge Wednesday on Twitter, donated $17,000 after making 17 birdies. Reed raised $7,000 after pledging $500 per birdie.
Homa pledged $200 per birdie and raised $2,400 after making 12 of them.
Thomas visited St. Jude on Wednesday, and while Rahm did not get to visit, he said Thursday that learning about the hospital and its work made coming to Memphis worthwhile.
He got another reminder Sunday when he finished his day with an honorary caddie from St. Jude at the 18th hole. Rahm said he was tired, but seeing the caddie brightened his mood as he finished Sunday shooting a 1-under 69.
“I’m happy I finished with a par, and I’m happy I got to see that,” Rahm said. “It makes me even more happy to be donating what I’m donating.”
