Valderrama, Spain's golf icon, has seen Sergio Garcia celebrate multiple times, but the second Spanish superstar, Jon Rahm, is still searching for his first triumph there.
Real Club Valderrama is no ordinary course – in the cafeteria hang pictures of all the champions who have triumphed here. Naturally, Sergio Garcia, who has secured four victories on his favorite course, including the 2024 LIV Golf Andalucía, is prominently featured. But Rahm's portrait? Nowhere to be found.
Rahm himself knows best what is missing. Club CEO Javier Reviriego misses no opportunity to remind him how much he wants to see the picture of the country's best active player on his walls. "Every time he sees me, he tells me the same thing," says Rahm. "Just yesterday again, he reminded me that mine is still missing. That puts a bit of pressure on me, but clearly, it's a huge motivation."
The Blemish on His Résumé
Rahm's mission to join the ranks of Valderrama champions continues this week at the LIV Golf Andalucía. Victory on this legendary course is one of the few trophies still eluding him since his move to LIV Golf before the 2024 season, as captain of the first expansion team, Legion XIII.
Rahm's Impressive Record
In his two and a half seasons with the league, Rahm has achieved an incredible record: Four individual tournament titles, two individual season-long championships, and as captain, he has led his team to nine tournament victories and the Team Championship last year. This season alone, he has already secured two individual titles and is the undisputed points leader after the first eight tournaments. What a phenomenal run he's putting together – now all that's missing is Valderrama!
