Jon Rahm stays patient in bid for victory on Irish Open debut
Saturday 8 July 2017 20:25, UK
Jon Rahm highlighted the virtue of patience on a links golf course after he stayed firmly on course to mark his Irish Open debut with a victory at Portstewart.
The powerful Spaniard accepted a personal invite to compete in the event from tournament host Rory McIlroy, and he continued to make light of his lack of experience of links golf as followed up rounds of 65 and 67 with another 67 on Moving Day.
Rahm admitted he struggled on the greens over the first half of his round, but found his range with the putter after the turn and made four consecutive birdies from the 11th to briefly hold the outright lead on 13 under.
He was later joined in a tie at the top by overnight joint-leader Daniel Im, but Rahm intends to stick to his game-plan for the final round as he looks to give himself the ultimate confidence boost ahead of The Open at Royal Birkdale.
"Patience was key to be honest," said Rahm afterwards. "I was playing good, making good swings and I was saving a couple of good shots, but the putts just weren't dropping. It was just important to make sure that I was going to stay patient and keep hitting good putts.
"I can think of a couple good putts that didn't go in, especially four, five, seven the putt for eagle, eight was probably the best putt I hit on the front nine besides the birdie on one that didn't go in. I just kept telling myself, keep driving it on the fairway and on the green and they will go in.
"I was lucky to make a couple of good ones on 11 and 12, and then the bonus one on 14," added Rahm in reference to his adventurous birdie at the par-five after finding little in the way of short grass en route to the green. "That was kind of a Seve birdie, I was all over the place.
"And then, as well as I played on the last three holes, the putts didn't drop but it was still a great round."
Rahm has also enjoyed the hospitality on his first visit to the tournament, and he is grateful for the fervent support he has received from the appreciative galleries at Portstewart.
"I can't explain why but it's been unbelievable to see how the Irish crowd has kind of taken to me," he said. "It seems like they decided to support me like if I was one of their own, and it's been incredible. It does help out when you have that kind of support.
"Hopefully I can enjoy the day as much as I can tomorrow, have fun, enjoy the moment, and let's see if I can make a few more putts on the front nine like I've been doing the first few days."
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