Jon Rahm revealed in his press conference before the PGA Championship that he once learned something valuable from Jack Nicklaus.
Few professional golfers understand and respect the history of the game more than Rahm, who often impresses with his knowledge.
The Spaniard recently shared that he watched an interview with Nicklaus about his 1966 Open Championship victory at Muirfield.
He picked up an interesting piece of wisdom from the video, which he used to inspire European teammate Tyrrell Hatton at the 2023 Ryder Cup.
What Jon Rahm learned from Jack Nicklaus helped at Ryder Cup
Most golfers talk about taking one shot at a time, yet Nicklaus admitted to thinking about the last three holes at The Open in 1966.
Rahm remembered Nicklaus’ comments and said something similar to Hatton in a foursomes match against Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay at the Ryder Cup.
“One of the best ones that’s helped me was Jack when he won at Muirfield, how he says… I think he was one back or… I forget the actual details on that,” Rahm explained. “But he says how he had three holes left, and he thought to himself, if I finish 4, 3, 4, which would have been birdie, par, par, you win the Open. He finishes 4, 3, 4 and wins the Open. I thought that was quite interesting.
“I’ve thought about something like that in the past as well for myself. Going down the stretch or whatever it may be, if we get this, we win. I think I told Tyrrell that on the Ryder Cup. I think we were playing Xander and Patrick, and we were all square on 16. I told him 3, 3, 4, we don’t lose. Luckily, we went 3, 2, and we ended up winning.
“I’ve definitely used that in the past, just kind of setting the target out there in your mind, and it’s helped. It’s not something that I thought anything of when I heard it, but then, when I was on the course, it was a nice memory to have and to remember.”
Jon Rahm refuses to comment on Ryder Cup discussions with Luke Donald
Rahm is not in a position to qualify for the European Ryder Cup team for Bethpage because his performances on LIV Golf don’t count.
This could change with a high finish at the PGA Championship and the other two majors, though it’s not expected to matter either way.
Many assume that Luke Donald will choose Rahm as one of his six captain’s picks if he doesn’t qualify.
The 30-year-old wasn’t willing to say whether he’s had any conversations with Donald about the situation.
“That’s a question for Luke,” he responded. “It’s his team. Hopefully, I can qualify, and we don’t have to question it. I would like to think that personally I am, but it’s not up to me.
Rahm replied, when pushed for an answer: “I’m not going to say anything about that, no. Again, that’s a question for Luke, the captain.”
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