Jon Rahm is gearing up for a thrilling showdown at the Ryder Cup, set to unfold on the legendary Bethpage Black course. This year, he’s teaming up with Scottish sensation Robert MacIntyre, but not without a humorous hurdle to overcome—MacIntyre’s accent. In a candid moment during a press conference ahead of the BMW PGA Championship, Rahm openly admitted to grappling with communication barriers, vowing to put in more effort to understand his teammate.
Rahm didn’t hold back in his praise for MacIntyre, labeling him a “fantastic,” “accomplished,” and “high-level” player. With victories on both the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour in recent years, MacIntyre has proven himself a formidable competitor. Yet, even with all that talent, Rahm confessed, “I still have a hard time keeping up in a conversation with him [MacIntyre]. I try. I try very hard.” His struggles extend beyond just MacIntyre; he humorously mentioned that he often finds himself lost in translation with certain caddies, admitting, “I think I get 45 percent of what [Iain, Thomas’s caddie] says.”
The Spanish star also pointed out that understanding American English can sometimes be a challenge. “Even Billy Foster sometimes, it requires a hundred percent of my attention to be able to get what he’s saying and I still have difficulty,” Rahm revealed, before promising, “Bob, I’ll make more of an effort. I’ll make a better effort this time around.”
In addition to his commitment to communication, Rahm expressed his excitement about collaborating with legendary vice captain Jose Maria Olazabal. He articulated how fortunate the team is to have Olazabal’s wealth of experience and stories, especially those surrounding the iconic Seve Ballesteros. The bonus? Rahm appreciates the chance to converse in Spanish with Olazabal, which he believes makes the tales “come alive.”
Further fueling the anticipation, European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald selected Rahm as his second captain’s pick for the 45th Ryder Cup on September 1. Despite being a seasoned competitor in this storied event, the emotional weight of the selection hit Rahm hard. “I did not think I was going to be as emotional as I feel right now being picked… It’s going to be special,” he said, underscoring the significance of the upcoming competition.
Rahm’s journey in the Ryder Cup began in 2018, where he famously defeated the legendary Tiger Woods in singles play, contributing to Europe’s triumphant victory. Now, as he prepares for his fourth appearance, set to begin on September 26, the stakes are high. Rahm is not just aiming for personal glory; he’s determined to help the European team bring home the trophy once again, and with his renewed commitment to understanding his teammates, the camaraderie on the course promises to shine brighter than ever.
