Rahm says it's his duty to support this week's Open de España

World number six Jon Rahm is looking forward to competing in front of home crowds as he returns to DP World Tour action at this week’s Open de España at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.

Like so many of the world’s best players, the proud Spaniard largely plies his trade on the PGA Tour but Rahm has always come back to support the DP World Tour when time is willing and as a two-time winner of his National Open, he’s only too happy to give back to his home fans this week in Madrid.

“I’m aware the impact I can have for golf in my country.”@JonRahmpga 👏🇪🇸#AccionaOpen pic.twitter.com/8eRNlFVjd6

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) October 4, 2022

“As a Spanish player, it is my duty and if I can only come to one, then I will come to one, I will try what I can to play and to support my country,” said Rahm.

“I am aware of the impact a player like me can have and I have seen it every time I come, so like I said, I take it upon me as a duty to be able to come and try to perform and give them four days of entertainment and something to look forward to. The world has gone through a lot in the past two years, and I know a lot of people are looking forward to this, so I am happy I can make it.”

Rahm made a glowing return to DP World Tour duty last month when racing through the field during the final round of the BMW PGA Championship where he signed off with a 62 for a tied-second finish behind Shane Lowry. It was the type of display that must’ve had many Irish fans scratching their head as to why Rahm, who’s also a two-time winner of the Irish Open, hasn’t been seen at our National Open since winning at Lahinch in 2019.

“Do I even need to respond to this question? I can’t say again how much I love the country of Ireland!”#IrishOpen champion Jon Rahm was in no doubt when asked would he be back to defend his title next year 😂🇮🇪🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/qRI8qxfBns

— Off The Ball (@offtheball) July 7, 2019

Having previously declared he’d never miss an Irish Open, Rahm admitted that the tournament’s move to parkland venues meant the stop no longer fit into his Open preparations but given all that he’s achieved since, most notably a maiden Major win at the U.S. Open in 2021, you’d hope, if it’s current date in the diary is maintained, that links venues would be considered for 2024 and 2026 if for no other reason than to lure the well-spoken Spaniard back to Irish shores.

“It is unique,” Rahm says of competing at his home Open.

“Luckily for me I have been able to put my name on that trophy a couple of times and with something that special, I would love to match Seve’s record of being the Spanish player to win it three times, so it would be a very important Sunday if I was able to do that.

“I really want to get my name on the Open de España trophy for the third time because, among other things, when you call on the Spanish fans, they always turn up.

“Sunday at Wentworth was another sign of how good I’ve been feeling all year, hitting the shots I needed when I needed to. That’s given me confidence, but at the same time, I can’t remember a year where I’ve had so many putts lip out.

“For me, the legacy you leave is very important. I’ve won cups like this Open de España one at amateur level, and that will always be there. With the tournament’s ties with the RFEG, being able to win it is very important for me, also being able to equal Seve with three wins would be incredible.”

Rahm is joined in this week’s field by a number of Irish players hoping to spoil the party with Cormac Sharvin, David Carey, Niall Kearney, Paul Dunne, Jonathan Caldwell and Gavin Moynihan all taking their chance.