It was hard to imagine Jon Rahm’s brilliant destiny when he arrived in Arizona seven years ago at the age of 17, barely speaking English and with the promise made to his parents that he would at least last a year in college. That time, in the worst case scenario, would serve him to learn the language before returning home.
Now, at the Phoenix Open, the capital of the state of Arizona, his memories of those first moments on American soil are more vivid than ever.
“The course had already started and I didn’t know what to expect: my mind was blank,” Rahm recalled after yesterday’s proam.
But what awaited the Barrika native was something very big. Rahm concentrated on learning English, which was helped by listening to rap music, as he has said on several occasions, and dazzled the university coach, Tim Mickelson, brother of the famous Phil, with his game.
The first year passed, as did the other three until he finished his studies in Communication. His sporting record: eleven victories in university tournaments.
Tim Mickelson knew from the beginning that he had before him a player who was going to give much to talk about in the world of golf. “His attitude was something like fight or flight (back home),” says his former coach, who now caddies for his famous brother, who this week is playing in the Arizona Open for the 30th time.
Rahm, with six wins in his first two full years as a professional, and having finished in the top 10 in his last three tournaments, starts as the favorite in the US PGA Tour event that begins today.
Last year he started Sunday in the last group, but his 72 strokes, seven more than the day before, finally relegated him to eleventh place. Gary Woodland won the tournament and the $1.2 million first prize.
The Basque player shares today’s match with Bubba Watson and Xander Schauffele.
Leave a Reply