Jon Rahm has successfully made his debut in the Ryder Cup. With a win in the individuals and, even more importantly, team victory against the US (17.5 to 10.5). A dream turned into reality. You couldn’t ask for much more from a rookie.
Well, possibly, because Jon still has the thorn in his side from the two-person teams (fourballs), with Justin Rose and Ian Poulter, which he lost on Friday and Saturday.
Be that as it may, they always say the more difficult the goal, the more satisfying it is when you achieve it. It was tough for Jon to earn his first point in the Ryder Cup, but he did it in the best possible way on Sunday in the fourth game, after Europe wouldn’t have been able to win any of the first three, and against Tiger Woods, the legend, one of the best golfers of all time, if not the best.
Rahm won by 2 and 1 on the 17th hole. He was never behind on the scoreboard, although it was a tough duel. The golfer from Barrika won on the 1st hole, and from there he constantly dominated the game, until Tiger tied with an eagle on the 9th hole and a birdie on the 12th. Jon’s reaction in that delicate situation was extraordinary. He won the 13th and 14th consecutively, bringing Woods to a halt.
However, the best was yet to come. It was on the 17th hole. Rahm hits a sensational drive to the middle of the fairway, and a magnificent second shot. He sinks a putt for birdie from a meter and a half away for the finishing touch. Brilliant. He had a spectacular 17th hole, mostly because it happened after missing the short putt on the 16th hole, allowing Tiger to get back to one.
After landing a putt on the 17th, he broke out in tears after an emotional ending. All the pressure was lifted off his shoulders after a very tough week. An unforgettable week, with endless support from his entire family. Rahm has now made his debut in the Ryder. An experience he will never forget. The first of many. No doubt about that…