Rahm is born to lead Europe from the front

THOMAS BJORN has claimed this will be “Jon Rahm’s Ryder Cup” as the world No.1 will prove he is the best golfer on the planet.

The USA are favourites with eight players in the top 10 – and none outside the top 21.

But the US Open champion tops the rankings.

And Bjorn, who gave Rahm the responsibility of playing the opening fourballs match in Paris on his debut, said the Spaniard, above, is ready to lead his side into battle here.

“I think this is Jon Rahm’s Ryder Cup,” said the victorious 2018 European skipper. “This is the one where he steps up and becomes a European leader.

“He’s the best player by far in the world and he is made for that.

“And because he is only 26, he could be the main man for years to come.”

Sergio Garcia, 41, will play his 10th Ryder Cup this week after making his debut in 1999.And Bjorn said Rahm follows in the tradition of Spanish Ryder Cup heroes which started with Seve Ballesteros.

“Jon will bring that same passion,” said the Dane. “Seve passed it on to Ollie [Jose Maria Olazabal] and Ollie passed it on to Sergio.And now Sergio is passing it on to Jon.”

Bjorn also urged Padraig Harrington to go the full English by pairing Lee Westwood and Tommy Fleetwood. “They’ll do well together,” he said. “It would be a strong English pairing and I would love to see them play together.”

“In 2018, it was arguably the best American team ever and you could argue that this one is better. But we have been underdogs so many times and Europe has a better chance than most people think.”

●Thomas Bjorn was speaking in conjunction withWilliam Hill ahead of the Ryder Cup.