Rahm: “It’s an honor to surpass Seve”

Jon Rahmtriple champion of the Acciona Spanish Open, declared this Tuesday that playing in Madrid, with many people who want you to win, means ““added pressure”and about Ryder Cup, who recently won with the European team, said that He’ll play whenever he can and that he doesn’t have to pay, but instead “pays to be a part of it.”

The ‘Lion of the Barrel’ He was declared champion of the Spanish Open in 2018, 2019 and 2022. After matching Severiano Ballesteros with three wins, it became the two golfers who have accumulated the most trophies in the modern history of the championship, In this edition, Rahm will try to get closer to Ángel de la Torre, who with five titles (between 1916 and 1925), holds the record for most victories in the tournament.

“It was an honor to surpass Seve. Whenever you associate your name with him it is special and more to overcome it. I don’t want to think too long because of the importance. If I win the fourth title we will talk because it is still the benchmark,” said Rahm, in the press conference to present the tournament.

Jon Rahm will be the focus of all eyes at the Spanish Open and, as in previous editions, everything indicates that his steps at the Villa de Madrid Country Club will be followed by hundreds of fans.

“When the public wants you to win, you feel the pressure. The adrenaline of golf must be managed to play it better. It is an honor that they come to me and being a reference is an honor. I hope I can entertain them as I have done so far,” said Rahm, who gave his opinion on the possibilities of the Spanish tournament’s growth to attract more international numbers.

“We don’t know what will happen in the tournament. It depends on the decisions made by the world golf authorities and depending on that there will be different options.. The tournament is growing but you have to have a bit of ambition to bring the best and compete in tournaments that have raised their level in the United States like in Los Angeles,” he emphasized.

“Something needs to be done so that players who may not have this tournament in mind will want to go. “You have to have an ambition for this tournament to be huge and gradually reach the level of others,” he commented.

“When the changes are made, I can try to convince them. Madrid has a lot to offer, the city itself is a great attraction, but I can understand why it’s not on your radar. Money has to rise and also put it on a certain date in the calendar so that those who live in the United States are in Europe. I will try to do my best behind closed doors to convince them.“he noticed.

The Spanish golfer, who played a leading role in the recent Ryder Cup won by the European team in Rome (Italy), He fantasized about the possibility that one day the competition would be held in Spain.

“I hope we see a Ryder in Spain. Still don’t know where it will go in 2031. I can’t imagine the Spanish public there. It’s an honor but if I’m lucky enough to be part of a Ryder in Spain, I hope Sergio García can be involved. He is the best Ryder player in Spain and golf owes it to him. Whether captain or vice-captain, it’s an honor for me and Sergio to be a part of this together,” he confessed.

“For me, the Ryder is something special. I will play it no matter what, if they choose me or if I qualify. They don’t have to pay me, it’s a great week, they treat us amazing and I’ll pay to be a part of it. “I’ll do it just because,” he said.

“Ryder is a different week from the rest. You are part of a team and the focus changes because you want the rookies to be as good as possible.there are conversations, we ask Chema Olazabal for stories to brighten our day and sharing the field and sessions with colleagues is different,” he noted.

“However, it’s a good breakdown like it was on Sunday, where I suffered for three hours. When I don’t have control over what happens, it’s bad for me too and that’s when I realized that I’m not ready to be a captain.“said Rahm, for whom Chema Olazabal “always had to be involved in something” at Ryder.

“We have to empathize with him through the emotions he learned from Seve. Maybe not captain because it’s difficult, but vice-captain. “I will keep calling him until he tells me that he can’t do it anymore,” he said.

Jon Rahm was in Madrid for a few days, where he tested the driving range and then the second nine holes of the Country Club’s black course.

“On a Monday a field is nowhere near what it was on Thursday. Maybe it’s softer, slower, but it’s in good shape. Just like every time I go, I have no complaints about maintenance,” said Rahm, who came to the event after winning the Ryder Cup and the Augusta Masters.

“It’s been an incredible year. It’s hard to explain what you feel when you live through a year like this. Now I hope to play well and win my fourth title here” he concluded.