Rahm optimistic of Portrush challenge

World number 11 Jon Rahm (22/1 – 2019 Open Outright) says he is looking forward to this year’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush as he aims to break his Major duck.

Despite only turning professional in 2016, Barrika-born star Rahm is already a household name in the world of golf, having triumphed three times on both the European and PGA Tour.

However, the Spaniard is yet to clinch his maiden Major although he has come close to breaking his duck this season, finishing tied-ninth at the Masters in April before taking a share of third in the US Open at Pebble Beach.

Royal Portrush will host next month’s Open, which runs from July 18-21, and the 24-year-old has previous experience of the venue, having played there as an Amateur five years ago.

Also, Rahm’s first European title came just down the road when winning the 2017 Irish Open and he is excited to test his skills on what he knows will be a different course from when he last played it.

“Well, I played the British Amateur in 2014 there, but they have changed the course, so I do not know how it will be,” he said in an interview with Marca. “I really liked the town of Portrush and it brings me good memories because two kilometres away, in Portstewart, I won the Irish Open.

“We went down to dinner in Portrush and I loved the atmosphere.”

World number one Brooks Koepka leads the Open betting at 8/1, while home favourites Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell are priced at 9/1 and 40/1 respectively.

Defending champion Francesco Molinari is 16/1 to retain his title while former world number one Tiger Woods is a 14/1 chance, the same odds as Englishman Justin Rose.

Odds subject to change.