Just over 100 kilometers separate the bustling Liverpool from the quiet county of Lancashire. And it was there, in Lancashire, where 35 years ago Severiano Ballesteros He raised his third Claret Pitcher. It was at nearby Royal Lytham. It was the last Spanish victory in The Open. Today, in Liverpool, Jon Rahm will try to end that streak.
Looking for more coincidences, it turns out that 17 years have passed since Seve played his last round at the British Open, and it was precisely here, at Royal Liverpool, with his son. Javier carrying the bag. It was 2006, that unforgettable edition where Tiger Woods he won the tournament, also for the last time. Seve continues to refer to any golf milestone, although all eyes are already on Jon Rahm. “Obviously winning would be amazing, and there are many reasons to want to do it. Being the next to win an Open for Spain since Seve would be very special. It’s amazing that some of the great golfers we’ve had since haven’t been able to do it, even though they’ve come close. It would be a true honor to win my third major here and be the second Spaniard to have an Open», admitted the one from Barrika, who has lost his third position in the world ranking after the push of Rory McIlroy in recent weeks.
Rahm has rested and trained in the last three weeks out of competition. the billionaire JP McManus He has been their host at his luxurious Irish resort of Adare Manor, which will host the Ryder Cup in 2027. The man from Barrika arrives in the city of the Beatles with a full battery and ready to continue closing the gap with the legend of Seve. Rahm appeared with a new logo on his clothes, the first of a Spanish company, which sponsors him, Santander Bankwho after having had as ambassador Rory McIlroy for five years, commitment to the national product with projection in the United States.
Rahm joins his name to that of Nadal, Alonso or Pele as ambassador of the Spanish financial multinational that had such a personal relationship with Ballesteros. We already said it at the beginning: all roads lead to Seve.
After Jon, seven Spaniards, a figure more typical of another century, of the generation of Ballesteros and company. Seven very different stories, and any of them would deserve a triumphant brooch. Pablo Larrazabal, after his two victories this year in Europe, he has entered the big ones for consistency and regularity. Something similar happens with Adri Arnaus, Adrian Otaegui and Jorge Campillo. Alejandro Canizares He is not at his best, but at 40 he returns to the Open (he played in 2012) after winning the position at the Australian Open. Nacho Elvira He makes his debut in a major after qualifying in extremis by being second in Denmark (DP World Tour).