A star is born - as Rahm rips field apart to win Irish Open in style
New golf sensation makes his mark in Portstewart
Last updated 10th Jul 2017
With the Irish Open over for another year, NIGEL GOULD reflects on a hugely successful tournament … with a certain young Spaniard the new name on everyone’s lips.
As Jon Rahm addressed the media articulately and forensically informatively at the end of an impressive first day on the usually challenging Portstewart course, we were left in no doubt that a new star was born …
The young Spaniard spoke eloquently of his desire to follow in the footsteps of his big heroes such as Seve Ballesteros – a previous Irish Open winner himself – but could he walk the talk?
We got our answer to this by Sunday pm when he not only ripped apart a classy field to win the title but he did so in record-breaking style.
His 24 under finish – six shots ahead of his nearest rival – was the best in Irish Open history.
A rules scare at the sixth threatened to put a dampener on what was an extraordinary tournament for the 22 year old.
Rahm appeared to incorrectly replace his ball after moving it out of the way of playing partner Daniel Im, but was not penalised after speaking to the tournament's chief referee Andy McFee on the 13th.
“One of the points in the new decision is that the outcome depends a lot on what the player says and his explanation of the events,'' McFee said.
“He said I knew I marked it to the side and then I was trying to make an effort to put it back to the side. He's definitely made the effort.
“We're talking about the difference between the ball being lifted at 10 o'clock on the ball mark and put back at 11 o'clock, which is not a problem.
“Has he got it back in exactly the right place? No. But has he got it back in a place that's good enough, yes.
“As a self-governing sport this game is all about players making reasonable judgements and the game has come to the conclusion that it's not right that that principle is second guessed every time somebody gets it a millimetre wrong.
“The whole purpose of that decision is to give a player the opportunity to walk away with no penalty when he's perceived to be doing the right thing.''
Rahm was keen to address the issue in his post-round press conference, adding: “I knowingly put my marker on the side of my ball. I know it's a little suspicious sometimes but I knowingly did it.
“I moved my marker so it was not in the way of Daniel's and put it back, and when I replaced my ball I thought it was in the same exact spot.
“Then Andy came and told me on 13 that they had had a couple of complaints that I had put the ball in a different spot. I told him, listen, if it's a penalty stroke, let me know now, I'll accept it.
“He told me there's been a change in the rules. There's some margins left on the rule now and it was left to interpretation.''
While it was a memorable tournament for Rahm, it was one, host Rory McIlroy, will want to forget as will Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell.
All missed the cut after disappointing first and second days.
Michael Hoey was Northern Ireland’s sole survivor. He made the final 65 on Saturday – and finished the tournament 30th equal after scoring – 11.
As for the tournament, hosted by the Rory Foundation, organisers say it was the biggest and best to date.
And according to Tourism NI its legacy will live one for many years.