Ryder Cup rookie Jon Rahm plans to swagger on to the tee with Eminem’s new album blaring on his headphones. Getting himself pumped up for the occasion won’t be the issue. “I feel like I’m going to have electricity coming out of me,” he says.
The rap music may help him tune out some of the hype surrounding his debut in golf’s showpiece. As fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia can attest, the pressure of being the “next” Seve Ballesteros can weigh heavy.
However, Rory McIlroy couldn’t resist putting Rahm in such illustrious company. “He definitely has the fire of a Seve,” said McIlroy, amid speculation that he and Rahm will be paired. “He’s got that passion that the Spanish are known for.”
Confidence won’t be an issue for Rahm either. McIlroy added: “I wasn’t quite as vocal in my first Ryder Cup as he’s been, but I wasn’t as good a player in my first Ryder Cup as he is.
“I played 18 holes with him yesterday (Tuesday). He seems to be playing really well. And if we do play together at some point, that would be something I’d really look forward to.”
Rory McIlroy signs autographs during his practice round at Le Golf National Credit: PA
Rahm, who is still only 23, says he feels “like a little kid again” as excitement grows ahead of Friday’s opener. Having reached No 2 in the world rankings earlier this year, Rahm is considered one of the brightest prospects in the sport. Europe believe his fiery temperament and powerful play are the perfect blend for Ryder Cup success.
Rahm says he may listen to four or five Eminem tracks right before his first shot. “The main reason why I do, is I listen to music when I first putt and right before going to the tee,” Rahm said. “I do it when I first start putting just so I can get into my own world a little bit because it’s very easy to get caught up in what’s going on around you, especially in a week like this, and that’s why you do it.”
Full of confidence, Rahm says he is ready to form a “fearless” partnership with McIlroy. The Spaniard’s career has soared in the two years since he turned professional and the confident rookie is now a frontrunner to partner McIlroy, after his previous sidekick, Thomas Pieters, failed to make the team.
“If I were to play with Rory, we’ve played a lot together and I think we know each other’s game very well and we have a very similar game plan in mind,” world No 8 Rahm said.
“I think the one thing that you can say about both of us is that we are both fearless. We really complement each other very well. I could play with any of the other 11 guys, and have equally as good a time as I would with Rory.
“But I think I will be paired with an experienced player. They are not going to put two rookies up on Friday morning. So I will be playing with somebody, who knows what’s going on and who can most likely keep me under control on a Friday morning.”
Rahm has had a string of meltdowns on the course in recent months. “I feel like I’m going to have electricity coming out of me, so you can imagine I might tee off with somebody who is a little more calm than me, which is not hard to do,” he added.
Rahm said he is a “pretty easygoing person,” despite his fiery demeanour. “In my case, I like sarcastic humour a lot,” he said. “I think I enjoy it a lot. Hopefully I haven’t hurt anybody on the team. I think we all understand that. To be honest, we’re just trying, all of us, to make fun of each other. If you think you’ve gotten away so far, you’re not going to. Everybody is going to get something at some point, and that’s what we do.”
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