Jon Rahm, one of the indispensable references of Spanish and world sport, is about to fulfill one of his greatest dreams: to compete for the first time in the Olympic Games, specifically in Paris from August 1 to 4.
Jon Rahm’s impressive track record since he turned professional eight years ago has made him a great figure in golf in particular and in Spanish sport as a whole, based on his charisma, determination and professionalism.
Jon Rahm, 29, has been at the top of the World Ranking since he broke into the professional ranks in July 2016, accumulating since 2017 eight victories on the European Tour – DP World Tour and another twelve on the PGA Tour.
Special mention for his triumphs in two majors, the US Open 2021 and The Masters 2023, as well as for his important contribution in the victory of the European team in the Ryder Cup 2018 and 2023.
Jon, you have been defending the colors of Spain for many years in an outstanding way since you were very young. What does it mean to compete in the Olympic Games now?
I recognize that it was not a dream when I was a child because it was not a possibility then, but to be an Olympian, to represent your country, is the highest honor that any athlete can have. To be able to be part of it, after the bad luck of Tokyo – positive for Covid a few days before the start – makes me very excited and I hope I can be part of the Spanish medal tally. I have been lucky enough to do it as an amateur and hopefully now I can do it as a professional.
You are going to live in the same sports space with other great Spanish athletes, such as Nadal, Alcaraz, Cravioto, Marín… An additional incentive for you?
Well yes, it is an incentive, a pity that we play outside the Olympic Village and we are a little far from Paris. It will be the fourth week in a row of competition for me and it is possible that I will not be able to do everything I would like to do in Paris, to enjoy more of the Games in general. But to be part of that list of Spanish athletes is awesome for me.
Three years ago, an unexpected positive test for Covid prevented you from competing in the Tokyo Olympics. How do you remember it? Is it something that now gives you a spur that makes you stronger?
It was a hard moment, very hard, because I was playing very well that year. I had tested positive before and had to withdraw from a tournament, but nobody thought it could happen again. Not being able to participate in the Olympics, when my caddie had already taken off to meet me in Phoenix to fly to Tokyo… Bufff, it was hard, very hard… It was very hard to overcome it… Knowing that I had medal options and not being able to participate… So yes, this year I go with extra motivation, with the desire to know that I lost an opportunity and being aware that who knows how many more I will have.
The Golf National, a course you know well, home of the discipline of golf, does it suit you?
Yes, I know it well. I had the opportunity to win a French Open there, but a double or triple bogey on the 12th hole prevented me from doing so. Then, the 2018 Ryder Cup that we won, even though I didn’t play very well, it brings back great memories. It’s a demanding course, where you have to do everything right from tee to green, a course that suits my game, from which you can’t hide in any way. If everything goes smoothly, I will have a chance to win a medal.
The competition is individual, not team competition, but you have David Puig next to you. What can you bring to him and he to you?
That’s something I would like to change, that the competition would be more by teams, representing Spain, or that at least there would be an option to compete in teams, like in tennis. In any case, sharing it with David is going to be amazing. We have not played together many times, but we have similar trajectories, first in Spain, in the national teams, then at Arizona State University in the United States. I am very excited that he has qualified and to be able to share it with him.
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Key Olympic Golf Dates
July 23: Olympic Torch visits Le Golf National
July 29: announcement of matches and tee times for the men’s golf competition
August 1-4: men’s golf competition
August 5: announcement of matches and tee times for the women’s golf competition
August 7-10: Women’s golf competition
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