It was in Mexico where John Rahm played in his first PGA Tour tournament in the OHL Classic in Mayakoba, in 2014, when he was an amateur. And it was also in Mexico where John made his debut in a World Golf Championship, last year at the Golf Chapultepec. It was the first week in which he came face to face with some of the best golfers in the world on a Sunday to fight for the win.
Thus, it’s inevitable that Rahm has a special connection with Mexico. A lot has happened there, the majority very good things. That’s why the golfer from Barrika didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to return, and to give something back to everyone who had welcomed him and treated him so well. He decided to donate to the Mexican Red Cross Association this week, one thousand euros for every birdie and three thousand euros for every eagle. The funds will go to victims who have suffered from the recent earthquakes that struck throughout Mexico.
The Mexicans were thrilled with Jon’s initiative, and so was everyone else involved with the tournament. In fact, one of his main sponsors, Isagenix, has announced that they will match Rahm’s donation, amount to be determined at the end of the tournament based on his performance.
The WGC Mexico Championship started yesterday, and so far so good. Rahm shot a 67 in the first round and is currently in seventh place, working his way up through the top ten of the tournament. He made seven birdies on the first 18 holes, three of which were on the first four holes. He has managed to raise 6,000€ so far, twelve thousand if we add the donation from Isagenix.
Rahm feels at home on the Chapultepec course. It’s a design based on the risk-reward concept, something that fascinates the Spanish golfer. “You can take risks with the driver, cutting corners, and you can get a real advantage there. I love that”, he assured yesterday after the first round.
Keep in mind that Jon is playing in the first two rounds with Dustin Johnson, Number 1 in the world, and Justin Thomas, Number 3. That means, although it’s a remote possibility, that Rahm could leave Mexico as the new number 1 in the world. However, the only viable option to accomplish this hefty feat is to win.