Eddie Pepperell and Thomas Bjorn praise Jon Rahm's inspiration of junior golfers
Eddie Pepperell and Thomas Bjorn were delighted with the number of young spectators at the acciona Open de Espana watching Jon Rahm romp to victory.
DP World Tour players Eddie Pepperell and Thomas Bjorn were full of praise for the effect that Jon Rahm has had on Spanish golf fans, using stark evidence from the acciona Open de Espana.
Fans flocked in their thousands to watch the former World No.1 produce one of his career-best performances to win his third Open de Espana title at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.
Rahm, who won the US Open in 2021 and flew the flag for Spain at Torrey Pines, shot a superb 62 on Sunday to win by six shots from Frenchman Matthieu Pavon.
He was delighted to equal the three titles that golf icon Seve Ballesteros achieved in his illustrious career and thousands of young Spaniards were delighted too.
Former European Ryder Cup captain Bjorn, who led Rahm during his debut at the event in 2018, complemented his effect on golf fans in Spain who undoubtedly look up to him and will do from now on.
To watch @JonRahmpga win like this in Spain is amazing…
Hero to his people in Spain and they came out in big numbers to watch him.
Been a long time since I’ve seen that many kids at a Spanish event.— Thomas Bjørn (@thomasbjorngolf) October 9, 2022
"To watch @JonRahmpga win like this in Spain is amazing... Hero to his people in Spain and they came out in big numbers to watch him. Been a long time since I’ve seen that many kids at a Spanish event," Bjorn tweeted on Sunday afternoon.
Bjorn was in the headlines last week after the first round of the tournament when he revealed someone had changed the settings on his driver, leading to his immense frustration.
Pepperell, who came tied 13th in Madrid, was also pleased to see so many young people showing an interest in the popular DP World Tour event which held a total purse of 1,750,000 euros.
"Said exactly this yesterday... so many kids. (I’m out of balls), but it was great to see," Pepperell replied. The Englishman has finished in the top 20 seven times in his last nine starts on the DP World Tour.
It has been an excellent season for Rahm. He won the Mexico Open at Vidanta in May which was his seventh win on the PGA Tour and he is currently the second highest-ranked European player in the world (5th) behind Rory McIlroy (3rd).
