'Claret Jug is most special one'
It has been 37 years since a Spaniard won The Open - back in 1988 when the late Seve Ballesteros claimed his third title.
Jon Rahm is well aware. He's had three top-10s in his past four Opens and warmed up for this week with a runner-up finish at last week's LIV golf event in Andalucia, in his home country.
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"The Open Championship is the most prestigious event you can win in golf," stated the 2021 US Open and 2023 Masters champion.
"For my understanding of the game and the history, the Claret Jug is the most special one.
"There's an order to it too because it changes venues, so if you can win it in St Andrews, I don't think anything in golf can come close to that.
"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 is meant to be played, the elements, the weather, it's quite unique. I don't think there's a word to describe it, but all together it's what makes it so special."
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