Jon Rahm is yet to get over the line at The Open Championship, but the Spanish star will fancy his chances when competing back in Northern Ireland at Royal Portrush

Jon Rahm talked up his Open chances(Image: Getty Images)

A confident Jon Rahm talked up his chances ahead of this week’s Open Championship, with the LIV Golf man looking to win the event for the very first time.

Rahm is one of a number of big names competing for the Claret Jug at Royal Portrush this week in an area he knows well. Rahm is no stranger to success in Ireland and Northern Ireland, having won two Irish Opens in his career, including one just down the road at Portstewart.

Ahead of the final major of the year, the European Ryder Cup star has been trending in the right direction, impressing both on the LIV circuit and on the flagship stage, all without getting over the line.

He comes into this week’s event fresh of shooting a bogey-free 65 around Valderrama to finish second at LIV Andalucia, and having been consistently at the right end of leaderboards at the three previous majors, Rahm feels like he consistently close to his best golf.

“In a weird way, I always feel close,” Rahm told reporters at Royal Portrush. “I’m always confident that I’m there. Last week, especially on Sunday, it was very nice. It was a very good round of golf.

“It was by far my best round at Valderrama, and to play it bogey-free, with really, besides the last hole, never really being in danger of making a mistake or a big mistake. So feeling good, feeling confident. Hopefully, I can give it a run again this week.”

Jon Rahm is full of confidence(Image: Getty Images)

Portrush could well prove to be his best chance yet of becoming Champion Golfer of the Year amid his impressive record on Irish shores. The area is clearly one that means a lot to the Spanish star, and he appears happy to be back in his quest to win golf’s oldest major crown.

“Ireland and Northern Ireland have been very good to me in my golf career,” Rahm commented.

“It’s been a lot of fun to be able to play here, have done well in Portrush in the past, and have really good memories in Portstewart, so I’m really, really looking forward to this week.”

Jon Rahm hasn’t won a major championship since his move to LIV Golf(Image: Getty Images)

Of potentially writing his name into Open folklore, Rahm added that he had dreamt up the idea of one day lifting the Claret Jug.

“The Open Championship is the most prestigious event you can win in golf,” he said. “For my understanding of the game and the history of the game, I think the Claret Jug is the most special one…

“The Open to me, I think that’s what it is. It’s the home of golf. Golf started in this part of the world. It’s the oldest championship we have, and that’s what makes it so special — the type of golf we play, the links courses where, in theory, it’s meant to be played, the elements, the weather, it’s quite unique. I don’t think there’s a word to describe it, but altogether it’s what makes it so special.”