Jon Rahm, the fiery Spanish golf superstar, is back on home turf this week, chasing history at the Open de España in Madrid. But as he tees off at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, the echoes of his recent Ryder Cup triumph—and the mental toll it exacted—are still fresh in his mind.
Just two weeks ago, Rahm was at the center of one of the most dramatic Ryder Cups in recent memory. Team Europe, under the stewardship of captain Luke Donald, clinched a hard-fought 15-13 victory over the United States at Bethpage Black in New York. The win was historic: it marked the first time since 2012 that a European team had triumphed on American soil, and Donald became the first captain since Tony Jacklin in 1989 to win two Ryder Cups in a row.
For Rahm, the week was a rollercoaster of emotions. "That week in New York was mentally the toughest week of my career, but at the same time, it was the most fun I've had," Rahm confessed ahead of the Spanish Open. "What happened there during those three days was something inhospitable. At times I couldn't believe it."
The atmosphere at Bethpage Black was as intense as it was hostile. European players found themselves targeted by a raucous home crowd, with alcohol flowing from as early as 9 a.m. Rahm, who partnered with Tyrrell Hatton for both Friday foursomes and their opening Saturday match, recalled, "With alcohol being sold by 9 a.m., things were already out of control. You could compare it to soccer, but then you have the noise of 50,000 people and you don't actually hear what each person is saying. In my case, every step I took I could hear everything."
Despite the adversity, Rahm thrived on the course. He posted a 3-2-0 record for the week, contributing three crucial points to Europe's total. His partnership with Hatton proved especially formidable: the duo extended their career Ryder Cup foursomes record to a perfect 4-0-0 across four Cups, and Rahm himself now boasts a dazzling 6-0-0 mark in the format. "I only contributed three points out of 15, right, and all of those three with a partner," Rahm humbly noted. "So it's an odd feeling, but it's very nice to be able to give that to European golf."
Rahm's only setbacks came at the hands of Xander Schauffele, who handed him both of his defeats—including a 4&3 drubbing in Sunday's singles. Schauffele, for his part, acknowledged the challenging environment, saying, "It's a tough thing. I've heard several things about a few of the things that were said. There were some unsavory things said at certain times. New York's a tough place to play for anyone. I even got a few comments to play better. I'm not taking much personally when it comes to sort of what fans say."
The Ryder Cup wasn't just a test of golf—it was a test of character. Rahm and his teammates, including Shane Lowry (who clinched the vital 14th point for Europe with a clutch birdie putt), faced relentless pressure from the stands. Rahm reflected on the experience, especially the support he received from his fellow Europeans: "It is very weird being congratulated for something that I didn't just do myself. Like when I get thank yous and congratulations, I wish we were all together because we all deserve it, right. It wasn't just me."
With three Ryder Cup victories under his belt (2018, 2023, 2025), Rahm's resume is already the envy of many. His overall Ryder Cup record now stands at 9-5-3, an impressive 62% strike rate. Yet, the 30-year-old remains grounded, emphasizing the team aspect of the competition and the honor of representing Europe. "Representing Europe at the Ryder Cup is one of my greatest career achievements and honours of my career, alongside representing Spain at the Olympics," he said.
Now, the focus shifts to Madrid, where Rahm is the red-hot favorite to claim his fourth Open de España title. Victories in 2018, 2019, and 2022 have already placed him alongside his childhood hero, Seve Ballesteros, as a three-time winner. One more, and he’ll stand alone as the most successful champion in the tournament’s 111-year history, surpassing legends like Ballesteros and Mariano Provencio. Only Ángel de la Torre, with five wins in the early 20th century, has more.
Rahm is acutely aware of the significance. "Getting one step closer to eventually possibly getting to No. 6," he mused when pressed about his motivation. "I was able to get three very, very fast, and it's never easy, and I'm hoping I can do it sooner than later. But just focusing on that, hopefully getting that fourth."
The $3.25 million event boasts a strong field, including Ryder Cup teammate Shane Lowry, fellow LIV Golf stars Joaquin Niemann and Sergio Garcia, and home favorite David Puig. Rahm is drawing inspiration from Robert MacIntyre’s recent victory at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland. "After watching Bob MacIntyre win in Scotland, it's a huge positive," Rahm said. "From going to having the crowd against us to having everybody cheer for me is going to be very special. Massive difference, massive juxtaposition—but beautiful in a different way, right. I'm looking forward to it."
The Spanish Open also carries added significance this year: it marks the 50th anniversary of Arnold Palmer’s win in 1975 and, for the first time, will offer an automatic spot in next year’s Masters and The Open to the champion. Fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia, himself a past winner, remarked, "Super proud of that. It's kind of showing the quality of the field that we have this week."
As Rahm prepares for his seventh appearance in Madrid, he’s not just chasing records—he’s seeking a homecoming of sorts after the cauldron of Bethpage Black. "From going to having the crowd against us to having everybody cheer for me is going to be very special," he reiterated. With the support of the Spanish fans behind him, Rahm is determined to give his best shot and, perhaps, etch his name in the history books once again.
With the Open de España underway, all eyes are on Jon Rahm. Will he deliver another historic performance and claim that elusive fourth title? The stage is set, and the Spanish star is ready for another unforgettable week—this time, with the crowd firmly on his side.
