The Spaniard
World number one golfer and Rolex Testimonee Jon Rahm reflects on his career and relationship with Rolex
“IT ALL STARTED FOR ME IN 1997, which was also the year Rolex became the official timekeeper of the European Tour, so it’s nice to have that connection. That year, my father went with some of his friends to watch the Ryder Cup. He started playing golf after that, and my mother and brother soon followed. My parents would pick me up from school before going for their golf lessons, and I would just sit around and watch them as a curious kid. One day I picked up a club, and the rest is history.
“I didn’t become a good ball striker until my sophomore year of college. Up until then, I was erratic off the tee, but I had a good short game. I took inspiration from Seve Ballesteros and Phil Mickelson, because I think my playing style then was very similar to theirs. Like everyone else, I was also a fan of Tiger Woods, and I’ve been trying to achieve the same level of excellence he has.
“I really became a fan of Seve when I understood how much he did for the game of golf outside the golf course though. In particular, he inspired a great number of people to start playing the game, and helped to create new courses to play on. The way he took the game to a different level and made people feel about the sport is something I hope to do someday. It’s really something quite unique.
“My relationship with Rolex started in the summer of 2016 after I had turned pro. I believe I was actually the first Rolex Testimonee without a tour card, although I did end up getting it the week after, so it all worked out. Rolex was willing to put its faith in me, and I couldn’t be more thankful ‒ it means a great deal to me to be a Testimonee for such a great brand, and it’s an honour that I will always cherish.
“My first Rolex was the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona in Rolesor with a black dial. When I got it I didn’t know anything about watches, but I thought it looked very cool. My next was the Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller with an Oystersteel case and blue dial, which has become my favourite watch ‒ the annual calendar is an amazing complication, and the timepiece itself is unbelievable. I also received a watch for playing in The Ryder Cup in 2018. That was also a Daytona, but in Oystersteel with a white dial and black ceramic bezel.” AM