That Ryder Cup in Sotogrande, with Seve Ballesteros as captain, was the first contact his parents had, Ángela and Edorta, with the world of golf. Sparks were flying. It was love at first sight. Rahm’s parents got immediately hooked on golf, they learned to play and they got the passion for golf running through their children’s veins.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that if weren’t for that Ryder Cup, I wouldn’t be a golfer now. That’s where it all started. It was thanks to my parents’ friends who insisted on going to Valderrama to see the tournament and convinced them to join. The beginning of it all”, Rahm himself attests to.

Coincidentally, it will also be at Valderrama this week, starting Thursday, where the Basque golfer will make his debut as a professional in a tournament in Spain. He’ll compete in the Andalucía Valderrama Masters, and he couldn’t be more excited. “I’ve been really anxious to play in Spain. I want to compete in front of the audience that has supported me so much in these past months. There’s no better course to play in my first tournament in Spain than Valderrama. I hope to have a good tournament and to give the audience something to enjoy”, Jon assures.

Keep in mind that apart from just the emotional factor, Rahm is also playing for the Race to Dubai victory as well throughout these days. He needs a win this week, and a solid performance in the WGC HSBC Champions in Shanghai next week, in order to have a shot at passing Tommy Fleetwood in the grand finale in Dubai, which will be held in November. Rahm will play in the first two rounds of the tournament with Martin Kaymer and Padraig Harrington. Big-name and high-caliber play Ryder Cup. Rahm will play on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.

La entrada Rahm goes back to where it all started aparece primero en Jon Rahm.

The Spanish rising talent (born in Barrika, Vizcaya 10/11/1994) is relishing his home debut. “I really look forward to playing in front of the Spanish fans. Right after the Irish Open I went to Valderrama to practice for October. I felt a big sense of anticipation as I teed up on the first hole. I wish to encourage everyone to come and support us and watch some great golf. If the public enjoys it, we will enjoy it. 

“My first round at Valderrama was five years ago when I played the Sotogrande Cup with the Spanish national team. It was a different experience because my game has changed a lot since then. I remember playing in a gale.

“Valderrama is one of the best layouts I have ever played. It is visually attractive and wonderfully maintained. Golf courses don’t need to measure 10,000 yards to be challenging. I find Valderrama very exciting and a good test. You really have to think your way through and play all kinds of shots. Mistakes can be costly, so it keeps you on your toes.”

Jon was two when Valderrama staged the Ryder Cup; his father Edorta recalls how the 1997 showdown introduced golf to his family: “We are a group of friends from Bilbao who enjoy a lot of sports together, particularly skiing. Two of our gang were invited to the ’97 Ryder Cup. They had no idea of golf, but they returned home full of enthusiasm. Two years later, Eduardo Celles opened his golf academy in Bilbao and we all started taking lessons. My wife Ángela, and our sons Jon and Eriz took up golf in 2003.” 

The family became so addicted to golf that they took a week’s vacation every year to go to Valderrama for the Volvo Masters. Jon has vivid childhood memories of those tournaments where the trophies he collected on the course were the autographs of his idols.

“I remember my first visit with my father during the 2007 Volvo Masters. The first player we saw was Thomas Björn on the 7^th. Then we went to the first to watch Poulter and Sergio tee off. We followed Poulter who played a great shot on the first. I went ahead of my dad and was lucky enough to see Justin Rose ace the 3^rd, but my dad didn’t see it. We followed Poulter along the 4^th and we waited for Colin Montgomerie on the 5^th. The next thing I remember is the 17^th, a great hole. You need a perfect drive to a tight fairway and then you are facing a daunting second – it reminds me slightly of the 15th at Augusta.

“On the 18 green I got my shirt signed by Nick Dougherty, Paul Casey and Miguel Ángel, but I don’t think he remembers. Harrington had won the Open Championship that year and I asked him for his cap but he couldn’t give it to me. I didn’t bring home any balls, hats nor gloves, only my shirt with six signatures on it. We went from there to the putting green and to the driving range to see some more golf.”

Ten years after collecting those autographs, Jon returns to Valderrama as one of the world’s top players. “In October I will be proud to play my first professional event in Spain. I look forward to playing the Andalucía Valderrama Masters in front of my home crowd and will do my best to give a good show.

“The boy that went to Valderrama in 2007 is still there, with the same dreams and the same ambition. I am extremely fortunate that my dreams are coming true, but this year feels more like a Steven Spielberg film – winning at Torrey Pines and again in Ireland the way I did doesn’t even happen in the wildest dreams.” 

Edorta Rahm shares the same feeling. “I never imagined that Jon would get so far so fast. You dream that your son will make it, but being realistic, we insisted that he should complete his studies. I only started to believe that the dream could come true in 2015, when he finished 5^th at the Phoenix Open playing under an invite as the leading world amateur. 

“All our family and friends will go to the Andalucía Valderrama Masters – we are looking forward to a great week.” 

A press conference to announce the details of the Andalucía Valderrama Masters, hosted by the Sergio García Foundation, will take place on Monday September 25^th at 13:00h at the Real Club Valderrama.

Tickets for the Andalucía Valderrama Masters are available at:

TICKETS

La entrada Rahm excited by home debut at Valderrama aparece primero en Jon Rahm.