Jon Rahm will be an absolutely vital player for Team Europe at the Ryder Cup this month, with the Spaniard’s fiery persona purposely built for the raucous atmosphere that awaits at Bethpage Black.
Rahm is one of the best players in the world, although the fact he hasn’t won on LIV Golf this year ahead of the Ryder Cup surprised many, himself included.
Don’t let his winless season fool you, though. The hostile environment at Bethpage Black will be exactly what the Spaniard needs in order to get fired up.
Rahm has been very open when speaking about his passion for the Ryder Cup, hailing the late great Seve Ballesteros and 2012 European captain Jose Maria Olazabal as two of the most influential figures in the competition’s history.
This year’s edition of the Ryder Cup should be one of the most closely-fought contests in recent memory.
Rahm expects a tough ride from the Bethpage Black crowd, and that’s the right attitude to have heading into the showdown with the United States.
Jon Rahm comments on Europe’s chances of winning the Ryder Cup
The 30-year-old has been playing on the DP World Tour in the BMW PGA Championship this week, and ended up in a tie for 13th after a final round 66 at Wentworth.
After Rahm’s final round at Wentworth, it was put to him that the home team has won eight out of the last 10 Ryder Cup clashes, with the interviewer suggesting that Bethpage Black will be an incredibly hostile environment for the away team later this month.
And the Spaniard responded with typical verve.
He said: “Well, wouldn’t be the first time miracles happened twice. Got to have faith. I think we’re playing good enough and we are a strong enough team to face what we are going to face at Bethpage and hopefully end up with the Cup.“
Rahm is certainly no shrinking violet and he never shies away from challenging himself to the utmost.
It could be argued that he will never face a tougher one than what lies in wait for him up in New York State in 10 days’ time.
Jon Rahm’s surprise take on New York fans ahead of Bethpage showdown
A couple of weeks ago Rahm was asked by reporters about what he expects from the New York fans at Bethpage.
And his response took many by surprise.
He said: “It’s difficult to explain. I think the biggest challenge for most of us is that the Ryder Cup was a little different in COVID. So the environment might be the biggest challenge,” he said.
“But in my experience New York fans can actually be quite fun. They are very fun, very creative. So if you approach it with the right mindset it can be a really fun week.
“Stressful, yes, but I think it can be very productive so I am looking forward to being with the rest of the group and hopefully having a great go at it, like we did last time.”
The fact that Rahm is embracing the thought of a boisterous Bethpage Black crowd at the Ryder Cup rather than approaching it with trepidation shows just how much of a leader he will be in the European team room.
Rahm, and indeed the rest of his European teammates are well up for this one, make no mistake about that.
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