There was a moment, early in Ryder Cup week, when a journalist dared to suggest to Jon Rahm that his win percentage in this competition was a measly 56% – less than players such as Colin Montgomerie, Ian Poulter and Luke Donald. “That’s sort of implying I haven’t stepped up,” he retorted, bristling as if his entire manhood had been questioned.
On a thrilling first day, he stepped up, all right. And then some. From his very first shot, in the opening foursomes at 7.35am the Spaniard fed off the crowd’s cries of “Rahmbo! Rahmbo!”, their energy fuelling his intense fire.
