Masters and US Open champion Jon Rahm: ‘Nothing would come close to winning The Open’

Jon Rahm will tee up at Royal Portrush as one of the favorites to win the Claret Jug. And it’s clear what it would mean to him.

When Jon Rahm speaks about The Open Championship, it’s clear that the tournament holds a unique and deeply personal significance for him. Indeed, the Spaniard deems it the most prestigious event in golf.

What makes The Open so special to Rahm is its historical significance, tradition, and the unique rota format in which it’s played.

His respect for the tournament comes not just from its long history, but also from the style of golf it requires. Links golf is unpredictable. The ground is firm, the weather can change quickly, and players need to be creative and adaptable. All of that makes The Open a one of a kind challenge.

“The Open Championship is the most prestigious event you can win in golf,” he told reporters in his pre-tournament press conference. “For my understanding of the game and the history of the game, I think the Claret Jug is the most special one.

“There’s an order to it too because it changes venues, so if you can win it in St Andrews, I don’t think anything in golf can come close to that. Obviously there’s different ones that have a lot of significance as well.

“The Open to me, I think that’s what it is. It’s the home of golf. Golf started in this part of the world. It’s the oldest championship we have, and that’s what makes it so special – the type of golf we play, the links courses where in theory is meant to be played, the elements, the weather, it’s quite unique. I don’t think there’s a word to describe it, but all together it’s what makes it so special.”

• Open Power Rankings: Who will be leaving Royal Portrush clutching the Claret Jug?

• 2025 Open betting tips: Who is our expert backing to be Champion Golfer?

Rahm also recalled his own introduction to links golf, an experience that clearly left a lasting impression. At the age of 14, he played Royal Cinque Ports with his father during the week of the British Boys Championship at Royal St George’s. He revealed his father’s advice when stood on the first tee.

For Rahm, links golf was not only a new challenge, but an enjoyable one.

These early experiences not only helped him shape his admiration for The Open and his understanding of the game’s roots, but it also came in handy when he won his maiden DP World Tour title at the Irish Open at Portstewart in 2017, and again in 2019 at Lahinch.

To Rahm, The Open is not just a major championship, it’s a celebration of heritage, and the truest test of the game.