“I let the rackets and the ball do the talking and leave the talking and the leadership to the guys who have been doing this for a long time,” says Jon Rahm, trying to carry on the legacy of the Spanish Ryder Cup; watch live in the Sky Sports Ryder Cup on Friday from 1 p.m.
Last updated: 23.09.21 17:10
Jon Rahm speaks to the media ahead of the Ryder Cup
Number 1 in the world, Jon Rahm has been described as one of the leaders of the European Ryder Cup team, but the Spaniard prefers to set an example rather than his words.
The 26-year-old, who won the US Open in June, is only making his second Ryder Cup appearance after making his debut in Paris in 2018, where he narrowly lost his first two matches before beating Tiger Woods in the singles.
Rahm is now ready for the challenge of defending Europe’s trophy against the USA in Whistling Straits, but as a relative newcomer, he’s happy to speak on track and let his more seasoned teammates do the talking.
“I’m done [to make that step up]”, he said. “It’s a challenge I’m looking forward to. Of course, a lot of the players on our team have a lot of experience and know how to do it. I am ready to add my name to this group.
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“We have a lot of players on the team who are loud enough, who have done this enough that you’re obviously interested in a guide. I’m not going to take action and just say to myself, ‘Hey, I’m a leader”. now ‘because I don’t have such a massive ego.
“In that case, hopefully, as I’ve done so far this year, I’ll let the rackets and the ball do the talking and leave the talking and the leadership to the guys who have been doing this for a long time.”
Rahm could be in all five sessions for Europe
Rahm was recommended to play for Europe in all five sessions and he says he is in good shape to handle this heavy workload if necessary.
“I’m physically ready for it,” he said. “I know I don’t look like that, but I work out every day when I’m home, believe it or not. An event like this may consist of five rounds of the mental aspect and this is where I think you need to learn to yourself really quick to relax and get ready when need be.
Ahead of this year’s Whistling Straits competition, Conor Moore shows off some of his impressions of the Ryder Cup stars in action.
Ahead of this year’s Whistling Straits competition, Conor Moore shows off some of his impressions of the Ryder Cup stars in action.
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“And I mean, even on the golf course you can’t concentrate one hundred percent and be locked in for five hours. This is a mental driving range. You have to learn to switch off a bit and have fun with your partner and then caddies and prepare to hit the shot there.
“Even when you arrive in the team room after the lap, a training lap, whatever it is, everyone has so much fun that it is a great recovery in itself.”
Rahm also admits that playing in the Ryder Cup as a Spaniard is a privilege, after his legendary compatriots Seve Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazabal and current teammate Sergio Garcia.
Spanish Ryder Cup legends Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal
To be part of the team has long been his goal and he hopes to meet expectations at this “unique” event.
“I don’t exactly know the age, but it’s been on my radar for a long time,” he said. “If you were born in Spain the Ryder Cup is special. There is a lot of legacy in this event between Seve and Ollie and the players have earned the most Ryder Cup points for Team Europe in history.
“It’s a lot to live up to, I’m not going to lie. It’s a lot of expectations when you’re a Spaniard. But that just means – we are often given another word for passionate, but I think then can all of these great emotions are being used in match play and that is why people in general have done great things.
“So I’ve been looking forward to being a Ryder Cup player for a long time, and it’s still something you have in the back of your mind every day, especially when you get close to it. Of course we have a lot of individual events going on, but when the topic comes up it’s something that you can’t explain, but it’s very unique. “
Who will win the 43rd Ryder Cup? Watch live all week on Sky Sports’ special Ryder Cup channel. Live coverage of the foursome will begin on Friday at 1 p.m. in the Sky Sports Ryder Cup.
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