It doesn’t matter what the rankings are. I believe Jon Rahm is the best player in the world right now, and he is definitely the most exciting! Rahm is currently on a roll, and despite having to withdraw from the Players Championship due to sudden illness and a flat match play showing, he has been in the hunt in eight of his last ten events. This run has included 3 victories and 6 top 10 finishes. In each tournament, he had a shot at the lead. Quite impressive in this day and age of parity.
The recent victories added to his total of ten on the PGA Tour in his short career, showcasing his unique ability to rise to the occasion and perform at the highest level during crunch time. These factors and 70 top-ten finishes in 135 events make him my favorite to win this week’s Masters. It seems he is always in the mix!
His passion and fire separate him from the rest, and it bodes well to have him succeed when the stakes are the highest. And that equals victories and Majors championships!
Winning ten titles on the PGA Tour, playing the game at the highest level, and being one of the youngest ever to become the number one player in the world are remarkable achievements. But there is something else that makes this an even greater story!
By becoming the top-ranked player in golf, Jon proved that: belief in oneself, determination, and hard work can overcome any obstacle and realize your dream. The real story is not just about a man with a fierce competitive spirit, talent, and fire in his belly, who is considered to be the best player in the world.
The story is about a twenty-eight-year-old from the small town of Barrika, on the north coast of Spain, who has overcome many early challenges in his life, multiple surgeries, and limited mobility.
Jon Rahm has channeled his passion for the game of golf, his drive, hard work, ability to adapt, and laser focus to reach the pinnacle of his profession.
I had the good fortune of spending some time with him, and this remarkable young man took the time to talk about his background and golf game, as well as his connection and support for people with disabilities. There was something about Jon that struck me, to share his belief that he was destined for greatness in golf and in life.
He is very passionate about supporting and inspiring others who wish to accomplish great things or simply live a better life, regardless of their limitations or challenges.
He offered several examples and inspiring thoughts that exposed the core of who he is and how he was able to rise to the level of an elite player on the PGA tour at the age of 25. He confided in me, “I am not sure if you would categorize me as disabled, but I was born with a club foot and had to undergo several surgeries at a very young age in an effort to correct the problem and improve my mobility and ability to walk. “I have very limited flexibility and limited use of my right leg, so as a result, I made some adjustments and developed a golf swing to be compatible with my limited use of the leg and restricted flexibility.”
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He said, “I understand when someone tells you you cannot do something. I have seen people with disabilities greater than mine put in the effort, adapt, and play golf or other sports.” Overcoming his own challenge, which made it difficult to walk, Jon said, “If you believe in yourself, anything is possible.”
“We are all a product of our environment!” This set of circumstances has created a person with a great appreciation for his gift of talent, the opportunity, and support he has, and built the strength of character it takes to be a great champion in sport or life in general. I believe Jon Rahm has what it takes inside to accomplish great things in golf and in his lifetime, whatever his future holds.
“If You think you can, you can! You must believe in yourself! If you do, others will believe in you, and you can accomplish great things”. These were a few of his comments that told the story of his drive to overcome his own personal challenges and follow his heart and dream of becoming a Professional Golfer. His concern moved me for people with disabilities and his general caring nature for others.
It was also interesting, before, during, and after our talk, how he made sure everyone who was with him was comfortable, well taken care of, and not inconvenienced by his other obligations, including our discussion. He is always very considerate, and it is apparent how important his wife Kelley and his family are to him. You sometimes see things behind the scenes that tell you much about someone. Sometimes not so good!…. In this case, during this encounter and other occasions, I see a humble individual with the heart, soul, and character of a champion. Not to mention a player with power, skill, and a great total golf game. I believe Jon Rahm will fulfill his dream of being one of the world’s best all-time players and have many championships in his future, including the upcoming Majors.
Jon Rahm reminds us all so much of Seve Ballesteros. He mirrors Seve’s spirit, love of the game, and passion for life, family, and excellence, yet with more power and control. I believe his game is built for winning golf tournaments, especially Majors! I believe he will win the Masters and the Open this year!
