Jon Rahm refuses to be weighed down by Ballesteros comparisons

Jon Rahm says trying to follow in the footsteps of legendary Spanish golf star Seve Ballesteros is “not a weight” but “motivation”.

Rahm is the headline act at this week’s Open de Espana with sponsors now flooding back to the sport in Spain in the wake of his impressive rise to prominence.

But the 23-year-old is not concerned by the public’s clamour for him not only win a major tournament, but also to be the saviour of golf in Spain.

He said: “That’s not a weight – it’s a motivation. I’ve said it several times. I hope I can do for Spanish golf a small part of what Seve did, that there are more courses and players.”

Rahm, who finished fourth at the Masters as the leading European player, will tee off at the centro Nacional de Golf course in Madrid alongside Angel Cabrera and Andrew Johnston on Thursday.

At Christmas, he visited the trophy room at Ballesteros’ house for inspiration.

“It’s the history of golf. It is surprising that it is the museum of only one person,” he added.

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