Jon Rahm wants to win the British Open

At the age of 14, Jon Rahma strong young man trained at Larrabee and with a scholarship at Blume, he flew to England to make his debut in links. The junior version of the British Open —the Boys— was held in 2009 at the Royal Cinque Ports, a symbolic course, between dunes and cliffs as tradition dictates, which hosted the senior Open twice, in the prehistory of golf, more than a hundred years ago, 1909 and 1920. On that first trip in 2009, Rahm’s idyll began on the characteristic paths of Iceland, although the Spaniard, now 28 years old, has yet to celebrate a triumph at the oldest “grand slam”. The figures show that, despite a complete game, He’s British main in which Rahm shined less: Third in 2021 in Royal St. George and 11th 2019 in Royal Portrush. Because he has already won the Masters and the US Open, and his records in the PGA Championship are better than those he shows in the British. «One day victory will comeAlthough I don’t know if it will be this week or later, but there will be no shortage of fights. I have already played well in links», explained Rahm in front of the journalists.

Although there are data that encourage more hopes for Rahm’s victory this week. He has already won the Irish Open twice in this type of field. When the tournament starts this Thursday at Royal Liverpool (Movistar +, Thursday and Friday, at 7:30 a.m.; Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and Sunday at 10:00 a.m.), the Spaniard will share one of the great matches, with two British idols, Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose (on Thursday from 2:59 p.m., and on Friday at 9:58 a.m).

Before traveling to the British Isles for filming, rahm A three-week break without competition was prescribed, something unusual for this time of year, before measuring the pulse of a few links. Having first received it in 1897, Royal Liverpool — born 1869 — is hosting the Open for the thirteenth time. But the design of Robert Chambers and George Morris, like the design of many courses, has evolved over time. Also in the 20th century with the signature of Harry Colt. Although lately it has not experienced such a unique change as the one announced in the Open. The old 15th hole, which played downhill, now contested as 17 and overwith tee in the area of ​​the old one green and the flag in the surroundings of the old exit.

The goal was to place the legendary hole in the final part of the course, when the title is decided with almost no margin of recovery. The flag is located between 90 and 130 meters from teein green high, protected trim bunkers, right, left and in front, with vegetation and sand in the background. Easy in calm air, and hell if the wind is blowing, say the players. The choice of rod will be crucial with miserable weather.

“It’s very demanding to be the penultimate hole, with no room for error. If you fail greenyou remain in a very difficult position», explains Rahm: «If the wind is not blowing, you have a short shot, but if it is, it will be very difficult».

Ambassador of Santander

On Tuesday, Santander announced the signing of a multi-year contract with rahm, with the goal of increasing visibility in North America, where the player resides and plays a large portion of his competitions. This will make him your global ambassador.

The first LIV player to defend the big one

12 months ago Australian Cameron Smith held the British Open in St. Andrews. A few days after signed a million dollar contract with LIV, the capital of Saudi Arabia. From this Thursday, he will be the first in the rebel calendar to defend the “grand slam” title, as Brooks Koepka will do next year in the PGA Championship, which he won in May.

Smith returned the Claret Jug Open champion to the Royal & Ancient on Monday and admitted the week he decided to sign for LIV was the most stressful of 2022. Now he has adjusted to the calendar, the format and the criticism. And from this Thursday, they will try to revalidate the title, something that hasn’t happened since Padraig Harrington achieved it in 2008. He is also aiming for the biggest prize in the history of the tournament, three million, from 16.5 of the total amount shared by the players, almost 20% more than in the last edition, and almost twice as much as in 2016. On Sunday, the tenth will receive 340,000; the twentieth 171,000; the thirtieth 108,000… And the fixed minimum even without passing the cut is 8,500.

The last edition, the one about the 150th anniversary, year Saint Andrew, broke the attendance record, one of the sources that make it possible to increase the prizes. 290,000 people visited the tournament, compared to 239,000 the previous year. Almost one in five visitors were from the United States.