Jon Rahm may be defending the title at his national open this week but he insists he is just focused on defeating the world class Spanish talent around him.
Huge crowds have flocked to Club de Campo Villa de Madrid for the Mutuactivos Open de España and the home fans have not been disappointed, with Spaniards occupying the top four spots on the leaderboard heading into the weekend.
Rafa Cabrera Bello and Adri Arnaus lead the way at 11 under, with Samuel Del Val then a shot back, one clear of Rahm.
Playing alongside Cabrera Bello and Arnaus in the marquee group on days one and two, even a player of Rahm's calibre could be forgiven for getting caught up as he looks to defend his title in a white hot atmosphere.
But the World Number Five insists it has to be business as usual if he is to reel in a three time European Tour winner and a man with three second place finishes this season.
"I keep forgetting," he said. "I’m so focused on what I have to do, I’m focused on beating Adri and Rafa.
15 under combined today 😲
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 4, 2019
The Spaniards put on a show for their home #OpenES crowds. pic.twitter.com/uW17VZT1Se
"One more day tomorrow to get in position. Hopefully I can play a little bit better, get off to a good start and keep it going for 18 holes."
A closing birdie moved Rahm a step closer to his playing partners after a 67 that saw him surrender a double bogey on the second.
"I was lucky to only be two over through two, I saved a heck of a par on that first hole," he said. "It was a little shaky but things like that happen.
"I was battling bad swings two days ago, yesterday was great, today I was trying to find the same feeling but I figured it out after that double bogey.
"My body is feeling good and I’m hoping to start well tomorrow, give an early scare to these guys and get the lead."
