PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — If you’re guided by history and trends when choosing the winner of the 153rd British Open, Jon Rahm could be your choice.
Rahm, the 30-year-old Spaniard who’s won a U.S. Open and a Masters, is seeking the third leg of a career Grand Slam this week at Portrush.
However, what holds more significance for Rahm is the opportunity to become only the second Spanish golfer to win an Open — following in the footsteps of his hero Seve Ballesteros, who last won the Claret Jug in 1988.
Rahm loves links golf, calling it “the closest I’ll ever feel to playing at home without being at home.’’
He, too, has excelled in it, having won two Irish Opens — including one 10 minutes up the road from Portrush at Portstewart.
This year, Rahm has secured top 10 placements at both the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship. He arrived in Northern Ireland fresh off a runner-up finish to Talor Gooch at the LIV Golf event held in Valderrama, Spain.
“I always feel close,’’ Rahm said Tuesday when asked about his current form. “I’m always confident that I’m there. Last week, especially on Sunday, it was a very good round of golf. So, [I’m] feeling good, feeling confident. Hopefully I can give it a run again this week.”
Asked if he’s ever envisioned himself lifting the Claret Jug as an Open champion, Rahm was quick to answer: “Yes.’’
“In my opinion, the Open Championship is the most prestigious event you can win in golf,’’ he said. “For my understanding of the game and the history of the game, I think the Claret Jug is the most special one. There’s an order to it, too, because it changes venues, so if you can win it in St. Andrews, I don’t think anything in golf can come close to that.
“It’s the home of golf. Golf started in this part of the world. It’s the oldest championship we have, and that’s what makes it so special — the type of golf we play, the links courses where in theory is meant to be played, the elements, the weather, it’s quite unique.’’
