Jon Rahm hoping to be at his best again on home soil

Jon Rahm is relishing the chance to add a new DP World Tour title on home soil to his glittering CV as he prepares to compete at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters.

After narrowly missing out on claiming a record fourth Open de España title last month, the Spaniard has top billing again this week as he returns to the tournament for the first time since 2021.

The event was then held at Real Club Valderrama but last year it moved to nearby Real Club de Sotogrande and Rahm arrives in excellent form, with four top tens in as many starts.

So, with confidence high, ten-time DP World Tour winner Rahm is eager to produce once again in front of home crowds.

“It’s always a different feeling being back in Spain,” he said.

“I think my emotions can be heightened when playing in front of the Spanish crowds.

“Obviously, I always want to do well but when I come home it’s something that makes me want to play a little bit better and is one of the reasons I have done so well in the past.

“I’m looking forward to the week and hopefully I can do well again."

The two-time Major Champion and his wife Kelley welcomed their third child, a daughter named Alaia just ahead of his back-to-back appearances in his national open and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, but Rahm feels refreshed after a week at home in the United States.

“These events on the DP World Tour always happen at the end of the year for me so it feels like it takes a little longer to recharge," he said.

“I’ve been home, the kids had a full break in the United States so to have all three of them at home all week was a lot of fun.

“It’s a lot of work but I don’t usually get the chance to be Dad for that long, so mentally it was a very nice break for me.”

Despite having not played as a professional at Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, Rahm believes we could see some low-scoring if there is not a repeat of the high winds that affected play last year.

“Sotogrande is a beautiful golf course, a classic design and it’s known all over Spain," he added.

“You need wind on this golf course because otherwise it can feel a little bit short. We’ve had a lot of rain so the greens should be quite receptive, and you can be very aggressive with your approach play.

“If we don’t get the wind I think you can expect to see some low scores out there. It’s unusual to have four days in a row without wind so I think it will come. Last year the score wasn’t as low as everybody thought due to the wind, so maybe that can happen again.”

The former World Number One is joined by a host of his countrymen, including Adrian Otaegui, who won his first DP World Tour title since the 2022 Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters earlier this season at the Volvo China Open.

The 31-year-old will fight again for the title in Sotogrande, having finished in the top ten last year, when he also won the bronze medal at the Teams competition in the European Nations Championship – Sotogrande Cup.

“I’m very happy to be here. I’ve always said that the Sotogrande area for me feels like home because I used to practise here when I was an amateur to test myself in the windy conditions,” he said.

"Every time I come here it feels very special to me and I love this area. I love this golf course, and it is always in fantastic condition.”