Jon Rahm wants to build on the reign of Spain

It is appropriate in these golden times for Spanish golf that the oldest major should be returning to the place where the godfather of the sport in that country first made his mark.

Royal Birkdale in 1976 was the place that Seve Ballesteros introduced himself to the golfing world aged 19 by taking a share of the 18-hole lead with an opening 69. He would go on to finish runner-up alongside Jack Nicklaus, six shots behind American Johnny Miller having played the sort of swashbuckling golf that would make him one of the game’s legends.

Which is why there is such a spring in the steps of his Spanish successors in the professional game this week. Sergio Garcia arrived in Southport this week as the reigning Masters champion having won his first major on the day the late Ballesteros would have turned 60 last April. Jon Rahm is here a fortnight after landing his maiden European Tour victory at the Irish Open and he was followed into the winner’s circle a week later by another Spaniard, Rafa Cabrera Bello, who made it a second links win in as many weeks at the Scottish Open.