Jon Rahm is enjoying some 'home' comforts as he looks for a first World Golf Championships title at the WGC-Mexico Championship.
The Spaniard held the lead at Chapultepec Golf Club with three holes to play back in 2017 as he made his WGC debut, eventually losing out to Dustin Johnson just weeks after winning his first professional title.
Rahm has claimed three European Tour wins since then and been a member of a victorious Ryder Cup team but he still speaks fondly of his near miss two years ago.
Rahm not only speaks the language here in Mexico City but he also loves the layout, and the 24-year-old is hopeful fond memories and a European feel can help him to lift the trophy this week.
"When I got to the back nine, that eagle on 11 and birdieing 14 and 15 to tie for the lead, it's just so much fun to get in contention at a tournament", he said.
"It's really fun to get in contention at a World Golf Championships and it's really fun to do in a place like this.
"We don't get World Golf Championships in Spain but, as a Spanish speaker, as a Hispanic player and heritage, this is like a second home tournament.
"People really welcome me here, I get a ton of support. It's a lot more fun to do it.
"You've got tree lined, narrow fairways, small greens, sloped greens. You have to think your way around the golf course and you have to play it really, really well. You truly can't miss around a place like this and then go and win a tournament and that's why I love it so much.
People really welcome me here, I get a ton of support. It's a lot more fun to do it - Jon Rahm
"It's the way I grew up playing golf. A lot of courses in Spain are rather traditional than the new American style of golf. It's a little bit different, it's more European, more what I'm used to, more what I like, so it's very refreshing."
Rahm is a man for the big occasion, with a win on home soil last season coupling with three top fives in Rolex Series events and two in Major Championships, and he is confident as he takes on an elite field once more.
"I want to win, I want to play well," he said. "I had the lead in this tournament before and didn't get it done, so I know what it feels like and I'm capable of doing it. I know what I have to do and hopefully it gets done.
"I've been having a pretty good run of tournaments lately, been playing solid, consistent, hopefully this week is the week everything kind of gets together and I have myself a chance to win."
