Jon Rahm, the dream of emulating Severiano Ballesteros

BACK in 2008 he projected a captivating determination. “Eduardo, I’m going to be number 1 in the world.” This is how a beardless young man manifested himself to his teacher, Eduardo Celles, when the boy was barely 14 years old, when he had been clinging to a golf club for almost four years. Dreams possess all young people, it is human. But most will never materialize. Then Ángela, the mother of the creature, would take her son to Eduardo’s house, who would tastefully drive the young man to his golf school so that the boy would unleash his passion for hole-punching. It was all a game. But a serious game for that dream chasing kid inspired by Severiano Ballesteros instead of Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods. His name was Jon Rahm (11-X-1994, Barrika). The world waited to fall at his feet.

Jon would seek progress and enjoy family support. TOleft Bizkaia, his native Barrika, to move first to Madrid, He attended Blume National School, and later earned a scholarship to Arizona State University, which would open the doors for him to meet Tim Mickelson, brother of prolific golfer Phil, who would guide the young man through the complex world.

In Arizona development continued. Jon’s grandfather, Sabin, was the echo of his grandson’s deeds across the pond. I contacted this newspaper in search of a space that would reflect Jon’s successes. She did it late, taking into account the time difference, on a Sunday, when his daughter successfully closed a tournament that promoted his image. The family thus transmitted pride in a boy who did things well.

And so Jon reached sixty weeks at the top of the world amateur ranking, something unprecedented. He would take back-to-back Ben Hogan trophies, the most prestigious award in college golf. It was the impulse towards professionalism. It was 2016. Rahm landed with a twenty-third place in the US Open being the best amateur.

His goal, as he stated in statements to the PGA Spain, was “at the top”. “The way my mind works is like this: if I don’t believe it, I’m sure I won’t get it; if I think about it, I may get it; if not, surely not ”, he reflected. “The expectations created around me do not pressure me,” he added. He went on to be nicknamed Rahmbo.

On July 19, 2020, a historic moment arrived: he conquered the Memorial Tournament and rose to the top of the world rankingsl to become the twenty-fourth player in history to occupy number 1, being the tenth European player to do so and the second Spaniard after Ballesteros. “I play golf for Seve and I dream of emulating him and achieving all that he has achieved in golf. My admiration for him will be eternal. Having achieved this is something that makes me very excited, and hopefully I can continue to equal my great idol in more things, ”said Rahm, who followed his climb.

Another crowning moment was his triumph in the US Open of 2021. Rahm obtained his first major. “Jon still has a lot of golf in him and we are going to see a lot of good things, because the truth is that he is outstanding. He is very great what he has done and I am sure that he will continue doing it ”, Eduardo Celles then valued for DEIA.

The Lion of Barrika has also found motivation in other figures with whom he shares the lawn. “The truth is that every shot from Seve taught me the way to go. Olazabal has shown me that perseverance has a reward and from Sergio García I have learned not to throw in the towel when things were up in the air for a single blow, because in the end working he was also able to dress in the green jacket of the Augusta Masters ” . Dressing in green, logically, was always a desire.

In his 205th tournament (141 on the US PGA Tour circuit and 64 on the European Tour), with 19 victories behind him (10 on the PGA and 9 on the European), another milestone was reached. In the 87th edition of the Augusta Masters, the quintessential tournament, he signed his second major. And what better day to make history! On a day like yesterday, the late Ballesteros would have turned 66. 2023 is also the fortieth anniversary of the second and last Augusta Masters that the Spaniard won. Therefore, a beautiful day to pay homage to his idol, the person who inspired him to embark on a successful path that still seems to enjoy a wide margin of glory. Because as Celles added, “what he has done is very great”, but “I am sure that he will continue doing it”. From now on, Rahm will dine at the table of the champions of the Augusta National Club House, with the tight green jacket in unforgettable days in which, without a doubt, the memory of Ballesteros will be present, whom he has already emulated and whom hopes to continue to do so.