Jon Rahm ‘saw his heroes in heaven’ before having to apologise to Tiger Woods for beating him at Olympic golf venue

The last time Jon Rahm stepped onto the first tee box at Le Golf National he was starring down Tiger Woods.Now, he’ll return to prestigious French course for the Paris Olympics, hoping to call upon memories of beating the world’s greatest ever player at the 2018 Ryder Cup.Two-time major winner Rahm is ready to represent Spain at the 2024 Olympic Games and has a great chance of winning a medal.Now on the LIV Golf tour, Rahm’s form has not been brilliant this season but he did show signs of his former best at The Open, which was won by Xander Schauffele to complete a USA clean sweep of majors.A proud Spaniard, he’ll hope to take his good showing at Royal Troon to Paris and try to claim a podium finish for his country.Tiger Woods drops massive hint about future golf plans by trash talking rival‘You think Joe Biden can do that,’ jokes Donald Trump after impressive shot in round with Bryson DeChambeauJon Rahm ‘saw his heroes in heaven’ before having to apologise to Tiger Woods for beating 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Jon Rahm stepped onto the first tee box at Le Golf National he was starring down Tiger Woods.Now, he’ll return to prestigious French course for the Paris Olympics, hoping to call upon memories of beating the world’s greatest ever player at the 2018 Ryder Cup.AdvertisementRahm claimed a memorable win over Woods at Le Golf National4Rahm claimed a memorable win over Woods at Le Golf NationalCredit: GettyTwo-time major winner Rahm is ready to represent Spain at the 2024 Olympic Games and has a great chance of winning a medal.Now on the LIV Golf tour, Rahm’s form has not been brilliant this season but he did show signs of his former best at The Open, which was won by Xander Schauffele to complete a USA clean sweep of majors.A proud Spaniard, he’ll hope to take his good showing at Royal Troon to Paris and try to claim a podium finish for his country.NextOlympicsSportGolfJon Rahm ‘saw his heroes in heaven’ before having to apologise to Tiger Woods for beating him at Olympic golf venueMarc Williams, Head of SEO / live bloggingPublished: 14:40, 26 Jul 2024Updated: 14:41, 26 Jul 2024ShareThe last time Jon Rahm stepped onto the first tee box at Le Golf National he was starring down Tiger Woods.Now, he’ll return to prestigious French course for the Paris Olympics, hoping to call upon memories of beating the world’s greatest ever player at the 2018 Ryder Cup.AdvertisementRahm claimed a memorable win over Woods at Le Golf National4Rahm claimed a memorable win over Woods at Le Golf NationalCredit: GettyTwo-time major winner Rahm is ready to represent Spain at the 2024 Olympic Games and has a great chance of winning a medal.Now on the LIV Golf tour, Rahm’s form has not been brilliant this season but he did show signs of his former best at The Open, which was won by Xander Schauffele to complete a USA clean sweep of majors.A proud Spaniard, he’ll hope to take his good showing at Royal Troon to Paris and try to claim a podium finish for his country.And the 29-year-old will have the good memories flooding back when he arrives at Le Golf National.The famous course just outside Versailles will host the golf events at the Paris Games six years on from being the venue for the Ryder Cup.Team Europe thrashed their USA rivals in the event with Rahm’s compatriot Sergio Garcia starring alongside Francesco Molinari, Tommy Fleetwood, Henrik Stenson and Rory McIlroy.But Rahm, a Ryder Cup rookie and world number eight at the time, struggled over the first two days.He lost his two fourball matches alongside Justin Rose and Ian Poulter and knew he needed a big Sunday to hit back.But when the draw for the singles was made, Rahm was handed the toughest possible match – Tiger Woods.While Woods infamously has a poor Ryder Cup record, he has always performed well in the singles, winning sixof his last seven such matches before facing Rahm.Being sent out by European captain Thomas Bjorn in a pivotal fourth position, Rahm had it all to do and needed to deliver.Two-up on the 16th hole, Rahm tugged a poor putt right of the hole and allowed Woods to close the deficit to just one with two to play.But after Woods found the rough off the 17th tee, Rahmbo sensed an opportunity to close the match out.A long drive and a crisp approach left him within just six feet of victory.He strode down the fairway collecting his thoughts before grabbing his putter and draining the birdie.And the young Spaniard then exploded into celebration, launching his putter down the green and screaming and fist pumping to the adoring European fans around the hole.Once he had shaken hands with Woods, the tears started to flow as McIlroy and the other European team congratulated Rahm.While he had won events prior to the Ryder Cup, beating Woods on that Sunday was arguably his finest achievement to date and it’s something he holds close to his heart for many reasons.Speaking to talkSPORT.com at LIV Golf UK on the eve of the Olympics, Rahm said: “It ranks very high [in my career]. It was my first ever Ryder Cup point, so it ranks very high.“To earn my first Ryder Cup win on Sunday against Tiger, it’s quite unique. It’s going to be very high up there.“I would always say it’s the biggest overreaction to a four-footer.”Asked if he has spoken to Woods about it since, Rahm added: “No, not since.My grandpa had just passed and right before I hit my putt, somebody yelled out, ‘Do it for Seve!’“I had the memory of them in heaven. It was quite an emotional moment so that’s why the reaction was what it was.But then you can see when I look at the crowd and I turn around and hug [caddie] Adam [Hayes]. When I look up, open my eyes and see Tiger walking towards me and waiting, that’s when I stop.”I actually apologised to Tiger and said I’m sorry. He fully understood, he said – ‘No, you earned it, go enjoy it’. And he was very gracious when it came to that moment.“I haven’t spoken about it since but I did apologise in the moment. Even at that point, I know I haven’t made a long putt, it was 4 feet, but it was very meaningful four feet in that sense.”Rahm now, of course, has a Masters Green Jacket, a US Open title and a host of other trophies from around the world.He had to miss the Tokyo Olympics due to a positive COVID test but he’ll be fit and ready to go in Paris.And you can bet we’ll see similar celebrations to his victory over Woods at the Ryder Cup should he take home gold for Spain this summer.