Jon Rahm heads to Royal Portrush full of confidence after second Irish Open victory in three years 

Jon Rahm has more reason than most to be grateful that the Open will be staged outside of Scotland or England for just the second time in its history.

Rahm is one of the favourites to claim a first major title at Royal Portrush as the Open returns to Northern Ireland for the first time since Max Faulkner lifted the Claret Jug in 1951.

And although it is hard to argue with that fact on the basis of his second Irish Open victory in the space of three years at Lahinch, the Spanish star is well aware that his Open record leaves plenty to be desired.

‘I think spending four years at college living in the States before turning pro had a lot to do with that,’ said Rahm, who has recorded top-five finishes in the Masters, US Open and US PGA but has form of 59-44-MC in his three Open appearances to date.

‘I got used to American golf and every time I come back it’s kind of transitioning back to European golf. I think it’s a coincidence that every time I play the Open I didn’t come in in good form, technically my swing just wasn’t there. And definitely the Open is the trickiest one (of the majors).

‘I’ve been able to play good in Ireland, I have not been in able to play good in Scotland or England. Maybe it’s just the country, maybe it’s the course, who knows? But we are playing in Northern Ireland this year so hopefully that will help.

Rahm believes The Open at Royal Portrush is ‘the trickiest’ of the majors

‘I’m going into the Open Championship with a lot of confidence. It’s the only major I haven’t had a good performance at and I want to.’

Rahm, who stayed in Portrush when he won the Irish Open for the first time at nearby Portstewart in 2017, played his last 27 holes in 14 under par at Lahinch after a back nine of 30 in his third round of 64 was followed by a brilliant closing 62.

The 24-year-old then spent time at Wimbledon watching his friend Rafael Nadal in action before returning to Ireland for some rest and practice ahead of the final major of the year.

The Spanish star has recorded top-five finishes in the Masters, US Open and US PGA but has form of 59-44-MC in his three Open appearances to date

‘Lahinch and Portrush are very different golf courses,’ Rahm added. ‘There are a lot of fairways here where everything slopes towards the centre. If I remember correctly, Portrush and Open Championship courses are usually the opposite, they’re going to be flat and if anything rolling outside the fairway.

‘I hit a lot of drivers at Lahinch and I don’t think I will be doing that at Portrush, but when it comes to the weather and getting the feel for the greens and the short game I think it ticks all the boxes.

‘We came here not only because I love the event but to get ready for an Open Championship.’