The Spanish Jon Rahm, who this Sunday won the Ryder Cup for the second time in his career after Europe beat the United States by 16.5 to 11.5, on the Marco Simone field in Rome, declared that his deceased compatriot Seve Ballesteros continues to be “the spirit that moves this team.”
Jon Rahm, statements
“I have thought about him (Seve) all week, especially having Jose Mari (Olazábal) by my side. Especially at the end, it is the spirit that moves this team, of not giving up, holding on to it and trying to get all the points,” Rahm told the Spanish media, including EFE, after the trophy presentation ceremony, in which he wore a Spanish flag tied around his waist.
An epic victory that the Spaniard closed with two wins and two draws, leaving world number 1, the American Scottie Scheffler, without winning for the first time in the history of the competition. “Thank God I’ve done it twice in the 18th. I’m not going to think about what we’ve done to him and I’ll think about what we’ve achieved.”
“It’s incredible, even with what some of us have accomplished. These victories are so different. Being able to celebrate them as a team is something memorable,” he said.
“What a great day! With how hard it was two years ago to lose like we lost, and then come here with new players. It has been a different Ryder for me, in which I was seen as a leader, and to go out there like we did “and how we played. I’m super proud, the first day was incredible. That pairing with Tyrrell (Hatton) was very good, and the day with Nicolai (Hoggaard) too, what a way to save the point,” he added.
Europe ended up winning by five points, recovering the world title after the painful defeat of the last edition by 10 points. Regarding whether this advantage has been enough to make up for the past, he said that “winning is fine, I wish I had won 4 points in a row at the beginning, but in the end it was exciting.”
“Seve sure would have wanted some excitement and even if we say it seems like five points isn’t much, winning is winning,” he commented.
“We all know what the situation was like, what was happening and what could happen. I kept remembering the Ryder in Paris, today was a little different because I knew how important that half point was going to be for me and for the public, because when the public cheers you can hear it and it is a wave of positivity for everyone,” he recalled.
The number 3 in the world ranking, former number 1, revealed what that moment was like when he found out that he would be the first to play.
“They told me. It would be incredible to win on the 15th hole, but we all contributed and it is an honor that they choose you first. They give you the opportunity to lead and they put you in that position because they trust that you will get the point,” he noted. .
And, in addition, he commented on the image of Scottie Scheffler in tears during Saturday’s day.
“The thing about crying that doesn’t feel bad, Rory (McIlroy) did it last year and even myself at the beginning of the week watching videos that they showed us. We play for much more than for ourselves, and the fact that he cried is what made him matters,” he explained.
“And the battles we have had, we have tied but I imagine it has been a nice match to watch because the second nine holes have been very fun to watch, not to play because it has been very stressful,” he said with a laugh.
“Now let’s celebrate and I’ll see you in Spain,” he commented. Although he will not be one of those who lasts the longest in the celebration.
“I’ll be one of the first to go to bed. Looking ahead to the party, I don’t live up to the Spanish stereotype. That’s where I fail, my friends from Bilbao love staying up until 7 in the morning and I’m more into going to sleep.” and wake up at 7. Either I won’t remember what happened or I’ll go to bed soon,” he said, also laughing.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login