Golfer Jon Rahm stated this Wednesday that playing in Spain “is always something special” and that doing so on a course with the history and characteristics of Valderrama (Cádiz) gives him “a lot of desire and a lot of positive energy” to achieve a victory that has eluded him on this course.
“Coming to play in Spain is always something special. I don't know if I come back rejuvenated, more energetic. The support I get from the fans is incredible. Every time I come, no matter what tournament it is, I come back with a special feeling that I don't get any other week. It makes it special and is an extra motivation,” Rahm confessed.
Rahm, statements
The Biscayan player appeared at a press conference at the Real Club Valderrama two days before the start of the 54th Andalucía Championship, the third time this Saudi-funded circuit event has been held at the San Roque course.
"As a course, as a history, as a legacy, it's almost another point. It makes it very special for the five Spaniards here. It means a lot that players like Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Severiano Ballesteros, and José María Olazábal haven't been able to win here, only Sergio García," Rahm noted regarding the challenge of debuting at the Cádiz course.
Regarding how he arrives at Valderrama in a season in which he has yet to win a title, Rahm commented that he is approaching it in good shape despite finishing eleventh in the last LIV tournament held in Dallas (United States) at the end of June, breaking his streak of 21 consecutive tournaments in the top ten.
“I'm doing well. It's even better that the streak is over, because it's something that matters once I retire. But last year has more significance, because I won twice and I won the entire league. This year I have to give myself that chance to win. The most important thing is the victories. I'd have missed out on several top-ten finishes in my life to give myself more victories. We'd all do it,” said the Basque player, who has yet to win a title this season.
Regarding the feeling he gets from playing in Spain, he added that playing in Andalusia is almost better. The weather is always good, the courses are good, the hospitality of the people is incredible, and like everywhere in Spain, the food is good. And for those of us who come from outside, being able to eat well and have good weather is something I want to take advantage of. It's a great week.”
Regarding the possibility of the tournament being held next year in May or June, he downplayed it and wouldn't alter his plan to return. "If it's at Valderrama again, which I hope it is, I'll be delighted. When it is, I don't care much more."
Regarding Real Club Valderrama, the captain of the Legión XIII team emphasized the complexity of the course, particularly the wind and the greens. "Some things are more or less, but everything is difficult. No matter what they tell you, you have to know how to play and fight it," he remarked.
In addition to trying to open his record on the Cádiz course, he considered the tournament an ideal opportunity to prepare for next week's British Open, the final major of the season, which will be held at Royal Portrush (Northern Ireland).
"The difficulty of the course and the tournament, and the wind, make it a good way to prepare for next week," said the Barrika player, who will be accompanied at Valderrama by his wife, Kelley Cahill, and their three children.
He acknowledged that winning the British major would be "an incredible dream" because it's the oldest tournament of all and because it would be the first time a Spaniard has won three different majors, after winning the US Open in 2021 and the Masters at Augusta in 2023.
"The Open is the most special tournament there is. They say it's the Masters (at Augusta), but for me, winning the Open, the oldest tournament where golf began, is the most special thing," Rahm said.
