RAHMBO FIRST BLOOD
World No 1 ready to lead from front
EUROPE’S hand for the Ryder Cup defence may be comparatively weak against the collective might of the United States, but they have one trump card to play that the Americans cannot match. The world No 1.
Jon Rahm’s thunderous presence offers a counterbalance against a side assembled by Steve Stricker that is collectively the finest the US has ever sent out — at least in terms of rankings.
Looking down from the summit of the world game, the US Open champion has the presence to make any opponent stop and think twice.
Yesterday ‘Rahm-bo’ drank in the view on the shore of Lake Michigan, absorbed the ‘U-S-A’ chants and did not bat an eyelid.
Instead, he declared his preparedness to lead from the front today as an ageing European side sets out on its mission to pull off an against-the-odds victory for captain Pádraig Harrington.
Experience
“I’m ready for that. It’s a challenge I look forward to,” admitted 26-year-old Spaniard Rahm. “There’s a lot of players in our team that have a lot of experience and know how to get it done. I’m ready to add my name into that group.
“Hopefully I’ll do l ike I’ve done so far this year, and I’ll let the clubs and the ball do the talking.”
And he added: “A Ryder Cup is a bit different but being a Major champion just gives me confidence that I know what I’m capable of.
“It’s a team effort and it’s not like I can do it by myself — unless you’re Poulter; he can do it by himself — but it would be a very nice end to what has been a wonderful year.
“That win in France three years ago created a bond that’s unforgettable, and it would be a really good feeling to be able to do it in my first try on US soil as well.”
The 17.5-10.5 win in Paris was Rahm’s debut, but the overhaul to the American side since, which brings in six rookies for the contest, has undoubtedly upgraded them.
Throw in home advantage as well — an Abraham Lincoln lookalike was in among the Stars and
Stripes on the first tee at final practice yesterday — and the overwhelming US favouritism is understandable and deserved.
There may be no Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson in the side anymore, but there is a uniformity of talent and a depth which Europe cannot match.
Relying
Hence the need to box clever. And Harrington will be relying on the likes of Rahm and Rory McIlroy — the only other European to have gone into a Ryder Cup as World No 1 this century — to play in every session.
“I’m physically ready for it,” said Rahm. “I know I don’t look like it, but I t rain every day when I’m at home, believe it or