Jon Rahm Seeks Glory at the Spanish Open After a Challenging Ryder Cup
Golfer Jon Rahm returns to action in his home tournament, the Spanish Open, after a week he described as the most mentally tough of his career, during the Ryder Cup in New York. Rahm is in Madrid with the aim of winning his fourth title at the Spanish Open, which would allow him to surpass Seve Ballesteros as the most successful golfer in the tournament since the creation of the European circuit in 1972. Two weeks ago, Rahm contributed to Europe’s victory at the Ryder Cup in the United States, where the local public, known for its fervor, generated a challenging environment for the European players.In Bethpage Black, Rahm teamed up with Tyrrell Hatton and both were the target of criticism from the New York public. Rahm recounted that he heard everything from the American fans and that, “with the sale of alcohol starting very early, at 9 in the morning things were already out of control.” “It could be compared to soccer, but with the noise of 50,000 people, you can’t hear what each person says,” Rahm commented. “In my case, with every step I took, I could hear everything.” Rahm highlighted that the result couldn’t have been better, as Europe secured the victory and retained the trophy won two years ago in Rome. “It will be difficult to top that week, possibly at the 2031 Ryder Cup here in Spain, which will be more special for me than for anyone else,” he said. This will be Rahm’s seventh participation in Madrid, where he has achieved victories in 2018, 2019 and 2022. Last year, he finished in second place, losing in a playoff against the Spaniard Ángel Hidalgo. Ballesteros won the last of his 50 titles on the European circuit at the Spanish Open in 1995. This year, the Spanish Open will offer for the first time an automatic spot for the Masters and the British Open next year to the winner. Rahm and Sergio García, winner of the Spanish Open in 2002, are among the LIV players who will participate in the tournament. Patrick Reed, Joaquín Niemann, and Shane Lowry, who made the decisive putt for Europe in the Ryder Cup, will also be present. In addition, the 50th anniversary of the legendary Arnold Palmer’s victory in the tournament in 1975 is celebrated.That week in New York was mentally the toughest of my career, but at the same time it was the most fun I’ve had. What happened there during those three days was something inhospitable. Sometimes I couldn’t believe it.
Jon Rahm
