Ambitious Jon Rahm is hoping to make history after a six-year exile from the Alfred Dunhill Links.
The Spaniard says it’s special to be back at St Andrews for the event. LIV star Rahm was back on the DP World Tour scene last weekend with a runner-up finish in his home Open. Now he has a chance to be the first Spanish winner of the Dunhill.
Rahm said: “I would be the first? That’s hard to believe with some of the great players we’ve had. Hopefully I can. I didn’t fare very well the last time I played, but I’ve been in good form so, hopefully, I can keep it going. I’m very excited to be here. It’s my first time since 2018, I believe. It’s not always the best part of the schedule, this time of year. I usually take some time off, but it is definitely a wonderful tournament. Every time you come to St Andrews it’s extremely special and when I got here on Monday night and got to my room, it’s something different when you’re here.
“It’s a very special tournament and I’m really looking forward to doing better than I did last time. We have as good a weather as you’re going to get here in October, so it’s very enjoyable. It’s always fun to be here. St Andrews is a very fun town and to be able to play at the home of golf is nothing but special.”
Rahm starts his campaign at Carnoustie where he will play in the same group as Jimmy Dunne. The European Ryder Cup hero, who won the 2024 individual LIV title, took the Old Course for a Wednesday practice round ahead of his tournament bid with the former PGA Tour dealmaker in his group.
Dunne, who was heavily involved in the decision of the PGA Tour to try and find unity in an agreement with PIF last year, resigned from the board earlier this year.
Links between PGA and PIF are now closer as they aim to secure an agreement with Rory McIlroy playing alongside PGA chief Jay Monahan AND PIF boss Yasir Al-Rumayyan during the event. Rahm, who lost the Madrid play-off to countryman Angel Hidalgo, will also be paired with Danny Willett, another former Green Jacket winner.