Daily News

Rahm inspired by Garcia’s Masters win

- GOLF

ERIN, Wisconsin: Spain’s Jon Rahm has rocketed up the rankings to stand 10th in the world one year after turning profession­al and having seen his friend and compatriot, Sergio Garcia, win a major he is inspired to follow suit.

Garcia ended nearly two decades of frustratio­n with his play-off victory over England’s Justin Rose at the Masters in April.

“It was something incredible,” Rahm said about the long-awaited victory by Garcia, who as a 19-year-old challenged Tiger Woods over the closing holes before finishing runner-up at the 1999 PGA Championsh­ip. “He’s been so close so many times.”

Rahm said the setting and the timing were perfect for role model Garcia.

“With all the places, and all the possible days he could have won, being Seve’s (the late Ballestero­s’ 60th) birthday at Augusta, I don’t think you would ever get much more special than that for him,” he said after practising before Thursday’s first round of the US Open.

“To be able to see him succeed the way he did, I thought it was absolutely incredible. And finish the way he did. It was absolutely amazing.”

Rahm said Garcia’s thrilling victory touched him personally.

“He’s always been one of my idols, one of the people I looked up to,” he said.

“And as a Spaniard, it was something amazing. I can’t tell you how happy Spain was. It was a huge moment.”

Rahm, 22, said Garcia’s triumph fuelled his own quest for a first major title.

A win by Rahm at Erin Hills would extend a run of six straight first-time major winners following Garcia, Jimmy Walker (2016 PGA), Henrik Stenson (2016 British Open), Dustin Johnson (2016 US Open), Danny Willett (2016 Masters) and Jason Day (2015 PGA).

“It just motivates me,” said the stocky, powerful Spaniard, who ranks as a long driver despite taking one of the shortest backswings on the tour.

“We’ve played together a bunch this year,” Rahm said. “I see what he can do. And I know what I’m capable of. It makes me believe that I do think I’ll be able to win a major some day. And it makes me want to work harder.

“A close friend of mine winning a tournament motivates me. A Spaniard winning a major is always going to motivate me.” – Reuters

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JON RAHM

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