– “Ángel, I think there’s only one way to turn this match around now,” says Sergio García to Hidalgo.
– “I hope your idea is good because the only thing I can think of is for me to grab Jon while you give him a beating, although I’m not sure if it’s harder for me to grab Jon or for you to even touch him,” Ángel says amidst the laughter of everyone, including Jon Rahm himself.
This conversation took place on the 6th tee at Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland. The three Spaniards were playing together in the practice round of the Open Championship this Tuesday. They had set up a match. Match play, best ball. Jon Rahm and Matti Schmid against Sergio García and Ángel Hidalgo. Jon has blown the match wide open.
He started with a par on the 1st and made birdies on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Right there was when the conversation between Sergio and Ángel happened, and Jon’s response was to make another birdie on the 6th hole. Five under in six holes. Whatever happens, Jon looks like an Open winner.
It was a very special day in Portrush. The three Spaniards present at this Open played together. It happens often, but not always, and it should be appreciated. It was special for Jon because he returned to a course where he played as an amateur in 2014, came back for the 2019 Open with a brilliant performance, and is here for the third time as one of the top favourites to win.
Of course, it was also special for Sergio, returning to the Open after two years, with renewed enthusiasm after what he found at Valderrama and having managed to straighten out his long game. And, of course, it was special for Ángel Hidalgo. His second Major. “It’s the fourth time I’ve played with Rahm and it’s always a unique occasion. His golf is pure fire. It was also the first time I’ve played with Sergio García. Amazing. You learn a lot alongside these two geniuses. Imagine, my first golf memory is Sergio’s British Open at Carnoustie, the one that slipped away after an incredible week. Playing with them is everything,” he says.
They played nine holes, from 1 to 9. Afterwards, Rahm and Sergio withdrew, and Ángel played up to the 18th. He had time to pick up a couple of details. “On the 1st hole, Win (Gonzalo, his caddie) and I had planned to hit a little iron down the fairway, and when we saw Jon and Sergio with the wood, I said, no way, if they’re hitting wood, we’re not going to hit an iron. Later, I paid a lot of attention to how they played around the green, what clubs they used. Finally, on the 9th, the same, we had the 3-wood from the tee, and when I saw they were going to hit the driver, we changed,” the Malagueño tells Ten Golf.
It was a very special match, Ángel affirms. One of those things you never forget. Just like what happened to Sergio when he played with Seve and Olazábal in his first Masters, or Jon when he did the same with Olazábal and Sergio in Augusta. They are the privileges young Spanish golfers have, being fortunate to have such unique role models. “It was spectacular how willing they both were to help with whatever I needed. It was a very enjoyable round. We had a great time.”
It confirms the good vibes among Spanish players, the eagerness to help each other, and the excellent form Rahm is in as he arrives at the Open. Others better start thinking of a way to stop him. Let’s see if they come up with something better than Hidalgo’s idea.
