Jon Rahm is back in action at his home tournament in Spain after what he considered the “most mentally challenging week” of his career during the Ryder Cup in New York.
Lahm is in Madrid looking to win a record fourth Spanish Open title and surpass Seve Ballesteros as the tournament’s most successful golfer since the European Tour was founded in 1972.
The 30-year-old helped Europe win the Ryder Cup in the United States two weeks ago. The noise of the home crowd at the time bothered the European players from the start.
“That week in New York was the most mentally challenging week of my career, but it was also the most enjoyable week I’ve ever had.” Lahm spoke ahead of Madrid’s Open de Espana, which starts live from 1pm on Thursday. Sky Sports Golf.
“What happened there during those three days was unbearable, sometimes unbelievable.”
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Rahm won the European hole at Bethpage Black with a stunning shot on the eighth hole.
Rahm teamed up with Tyrrell Hatton at Bethpage Black and they were some of the most targeted Europeans for the New York crowd.
Rahm said he had heard all this from American fans and that “things were out of control” due to drinking during the morning session.
“You can use the football analogy, but when you have 50,000 people making noise, you can’t really hear what each person is saying,” Rahm said.
“In my case, I could hear everything, every step I took.”
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Rory McIlroy has criticized the American crowd in Bethpage after a series of unpleasant incidents at the Ryder Cup.
Lahm said the result could not have been better as Europe emerged victorious to retain the trophy it won in Rome two years ago.
“It will be difficult to top that week at the 2031 Ryder here in Spain. It will be more special for me than for anyone else,” Rahm said.
This will be Lahm’s seventh appearance for Madrid, having won the title in 2018, 2019 and 2022. He finished runner-up in last year’s playoffs behind fellow Spaniard Angel Hidalgo.
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A look back at the most controversial moments from the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black
Ballesteros won the last of his 50 titles on the European Tour at the 1995 Spanish Open. This is the first time a tournament has offered its winner an automatic spot in next year’s Masters and The Open.
“I’m really proud,” said Sergio Garcia, another local crowd favorite.
“It just shows the quality of field we have this week.”
Rahm and Garcia, Spanish winners in 2002, are among the LIV players in this field. Also in action this week were Patrick Reed, Joaquin Niemann and Shane Lowry, who made the cup-retaining putt for Europe in the Ryder Cup.
This is also the 50th anniversary of golf genius Arnold Palmer winning the tournament in 1975.
Watch Madrid host the Open de Espana this week live on Sky Sports Golf from 1pm on Thursday. Stream the DP World Tour, PGA Tour, LPGA Tour and more with NOW without a contract.
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