Jon Rahm plays down Seve Ballesteros comparison ahead of The Open at Royal Birkdale

Jon Rahm has dismissed comparisons with former golfing great Seve Ballesteros as the in-form Spanish star prepares for The Open.

Rahm, a two-time winner this year, has attracted praise for his emergence within the top echelons of the game in a short space of time.

The 22-year-old comes into The 146th Open at Royal Birkdale on the back of victory at this month's Irish Open at Portstewart on the European Tour and has also enjoyed a consistent season on the PGA Tour which has helped him draw analogies with the way Ballesteros burst onto the international stage.

"To whoever compares me to him, I'm never going to be Seve," said Rahm. "Seve was so unique, to be honest. If we ever see someone like him again, it is going to be someone very special.

"What he did was special for Spanish golf and the Spanish community. He opened so many doors.

"I try to be the best Jon Rahm I can be. Seve was Seve, and I try to make a name for myself."

Spanish golf is enjoying a successful year after Sergio Garcia won his first major title at the Masters at Augusta and Rafael Cabrera-Bello secured his first title for five years at the Scottish Open last week, something which encourages Rahm.

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"From what I can remember, it has been a long time since a Spanish golfer has had such a high, and in my opinion, it's great I'm part of it, and I'm such good friends with the two others out there," said Rahm.

"Hopefully, the other guys can feed off of that and we can keep playing good golf."

Rahm, who is competing in his fourth career major, struggles to understand his tag as a favourite for this week's tournament but sees it as a sign of recognition in the strides he has made.

"It feels great to actually have the people support and helping me," said Rahm, who made his Open debut at Royal Troon last year.

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"I like to put that in a positive place. I know why there's some confidence in me from people who think I'm going to play good this week.

"And I like to think if they have the faith in me, I should have faith in myself that I'm going to do it properly. So I try to feed positively off of that."

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