Jon Rahm is back in action at his home tournament in Spain following what he considered the “toughest week mentally” of his career during the Ryder Cup in New York.
Rahm is in Madrid to try to win a record fourth Spanish Open title and surpass Seve Ballesteros as the tournament’s most successful golfer since the creation of the European Tour in 1972.
The 30-year-old helped Europe win the Ryder Cup in the United States two weeks ago, when the raucous home crowd tormented the European players from the start.
“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 said ahead of this week’s Open de Espana presented by Madrid which begins on Thursday with coverage from 1pm live on Sky Sports Golf.
“What happened there during those three days was something inhospitable. At times I couldn’t believe it.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Rahm chips in a sensational shot on the eighth at Bethpage Black to win the hole for Europe
Rahm teamed up with Tyrrell Hatton at Bethpage Black and they were some of the most targeted Europeans by the New York crowd.
Rahm said he heard it all from the American fans and that “things were out of control” during the morning sessions due to alcohol consumption.
“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,” Rahm said.
“In my case, every step I took I could hear everything.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Rory McIlroy was critical of the US crowds at Bethpage after a series of unsavoury incidents at the Ryder Cup
Rahm said the outcome could not have been any better as Europe clinched the victory to retain the trophy won two years ago in Rome.
“It’s going to be hard to outdo that week, possibly in the 2031 Ryder here in Spain, which will be more special for me than for anybody else,” Rahm said.
Rahm will be making his seventh appearance in Madrid, with his victories coming in 2018, 2019 and 2022. He was runner-up to fellow Spaniard Angel Hidalgo in a play-off last year.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
A look back at the most controversial moments from the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black
Ballesteros won the last of his 50 titles on the European Tour at the Spanish Open in 1995. It will be the first time the tournament will offer an automatic spot in next year’s Masters and The Open to the winner.
“Super proud of that,” said Sergio Garcia, another home-crowd favourite.
“It’s kind of showing the quality of the field that we have this week.”
Rahm and Garcia, the 2002 winner in Spain, are among the LIV players in the field. Also playing this week are Patrick Reed, Joaquin Niemann and Shane Lowry, who made the cup-retaining putt for Europe in the Ryder Cup.
This is also the 50-year anniversary of golf great Arnold Palmer winning the tournament in 1975.
Watch the Open de Espana presented by Madrid this week with coverage from Thursday at 1pm, live on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the DP World Tour, PGA Tour, LPGA Tour and more contract-free with NOW.
Get the best prices and book a round at one of 1,700 courses across the UK & Ireland