Sun Devil Spotlight: Jon Rahm

Following another stellar season with the Arizona State Sun Devils, senior Jon Rahm became the first back-to-back recipient of the Ben Hogan Award.

Ladies and gentlemen, the first two-time winner of the award--@littleJRmaza of @asumensgolf. Congratulations!
— Ben Hogan Award presented by PNC Bank (@BenHoganAward) May 24, 2016

The award, named after golf legend Ben Hogan, is given to the best collegiate golfer in the country.

By Rahm winning this award, the recipient of this honor has now come from the Pac-12 in five straight years.

Rahm, the World Amateur No.1, has been an exceptional talent for the Sun Devils during his four years in Tempe.

He has been named an All-American three times, won 11 tournaments, second to only Phil Mickelson’s 16, and can now add a second Hogan award to his numerous accolades. Rahm is also the reigning Pac-12 Individual and NCAA Regional Champion.

#ForksUp for Jon Rahm's second-consecutive #NCAAGolf Regional individual title. #EnFuego pic.twitter.com/c69TgEkEmF
— Arizona State Sun Devils (@TheSunDevils) May 19, 2016

As Rahm’s college career winds down, there are still a few questions left to be answered about one of the most decorated Sun Devils.

1. How will Rahm’s success at Arizona State translate to the PGA?

Feb 1, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Jon Rahm, an Arizona State University student, gives the pitchfork salute after finishing his round at 12 under par in the final round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. Mandatory Credit: Tom Tingle-Arizona Republic via USA TODAY Sports

Looking back on Rahm’s career, one of his most impressive showings came at the 2015 Waste Management Open. As a junior, Rahm finished tied for fifth, scoring a 12-under 272.

This milestone goes beyond Rahm finishing in the top-10 twelve times this season as his success a year earlier was at a pro tour event.

While Rahm did not win the event, he collected his first top-five finish before his 21st birthday and proved that he is capable of competing on the pro tour.

Additionally, Rahm posted a 69.15 season stroke average as a junior, good for third all-time in NCAA history. This score shows he consistently competes and is in contention to win tournaments.

2. Is Rahm the greatest golfer to play at Arizona State?

May 7, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Phil Mickelson (USA) looks over the green on third during the third round of the 2016 Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

This discussion had to come into question for a number of reasons. The first being that Jon Rahm has had a storied career with Arizona State while the other is that PGA great Phil Mickelson once called Tempe, Ariz., home.

The two players are very close statistically as Rahm has the most single-season top-10 finishes with 12 but Mickelson has the all-time edge 43-34. Rahm leads in single-season scoring average and has the better single-round score with a brilliant 9-under 61 in the 2013 NCAA Championship.

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The major factor separating these two is championships. Rahm is still chasing his first title after a finishing tied for second place in 2013. On the other hand, Mickelson has three individual titles and is one of two collegiate players to ever accomplish that feat.

Rahm has had an outstanding career but the edge goes to Phil Mickelson and his three NCAA Championships.

With the 2016 NCAA Championships approaching, Rahm has another chance to capture that elusive title and finish his illustrious career on top.