Memories flood back and it’s not easy for Jon Rahm to choose a specific one. There were many images, many moments, many voices, many feelings. He still gets goosebumps remembering some details that happened that Sunday in 2023 when he won the Masters of Augusta. Of all of them, there is one that still moves him especially today.
“It’s a picture I have where poor Eneko is missing, who at that time was crying and wanted his mother more than me. It’s a picture where I’m holding Kepa and hugging my father. That moment, on the 18th of Augusta, having won, is very special. It’s my lineage. Past, present and future in one photo. I hope I can do it again,” explains Jon.
There are more things he remembers fondly from that day. “There are few things more special than the walk to the 18th green, after hitting the third shot and knowing by the crowd’s reaction that it had stayed very close. That’s unique. Or the visit at one in the morning to the champions’ locker room with my father and Kelley. It was one of the best experiences I’ve had, seeing people’s names on the lockers, actually seeing the locker room, seeing the showcase that was there for Scottie’s victory the previous year, taking some pictures… It was a lot of fun,” he says.
Another of the photos he keeps was at the Augusta clubhouse. “My father and I went out to the balcony to see Magnolia Lane, what could be seen in total darkness. I didn’t realise we were being photographed. My father and I came out talking, me with the jacket on, on the balcony. It’s one of the best photos we have. I think it’s my father’s or my mother’s WhatsApp photo, and that’s great. I think the next thing will be to see where my name is going to be, who I’m going to share a locker with,” he points out with the excitement of a small child.
Regarding the possibility of repeating the victory, Jon relishes just thinking about the idea. “I don’t know if it’s harder to win the first or the second. There are arguments for both. With the second you have the comfort of knowing you’ve done it and you know you can, but the hunger to achieve it the first time is very big. Probably, I think the first one is harder because sometimes wanting it too much can be detrimental. In the second, if you can keep the hunger, I think it’s better. There are many people who have done it twice. Some have achieved it quickly, others have had to wait years, but there are a few great champions who have not been able to do it, so hopefully I can join Seve and Olazábal and get to two,” he concludes.
