Rahm hits an approach shot during practice prior to the DP World Tour Championship Dubai at Jumeirah Golf Estates on November 19, 2019, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

By Kent Gray
Jon Rahm hopes getting a little normality back in his life can negate a six-week layoff between competitive rounds as he looks to win the DP World Tour Championship for the second time in three years.

The 25-year-old Spaniard hasn’t played since defending his Open de Espana title in early October so is unsure how his game will hold up over this final, four-day circumnavigation of Earth where he can become European Tour No.1 for the first time if he wins and Race to Dubai leader Bernd Wiesberger finishes T-2 or lower.

While he mightn’t be as game sharp as others, Rahm does bring a brilliant 2019 record to Jumeirah Golf Estates is including a third PGA Tour title at the Zurich Classic in April and his fourth and fifth European Tour at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and his home open.

Maybe better still he’s brought a fresh perspective on life courtesy of some much-needed time off with fiancé Kelley Cahill.

“We spend so much of our life making decisions just for me and for my golf game, that it was nice just to, you know, tell her for a month straight, ‘what do you want to do,’ right, instead of what do I need to do,” Said Rahm.

“It was very nice to be able to do that. I wish I could do it every day of the year, but golf, it’s somewhat of a selfish sport in that sense. We didn’t go on any trips or do anything extravagant like that. Just actually tried to be at home for a month and enjoy time with our friends and family around there and live as normal a life as possible.”

Rahm didn’t touch a club for a month and found the time off, some of it finalising the details of the couple’s upcoming wedding, cathartic. It was timely too with 2020 promising to be especially hectic with the four majors, the Olympics in Toyko and the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.

“I needed it. Honestly, I needed it. After Spain, I stayed home for a week, actually, and \ after that, I think it was three more weeks in Arizona where I truly didn’t even step on a golf course.

“You know, with the year we have coming up, with basically ever since I became a good amateur in Spain, it’s almost been like 10 straight years of nonstop. Never have had a break like that, and you know, professional golf is demanding.

“It was more like a future thing, knowing that with me getting married in Christmas, and the year we’re going to have, I needed a break at some point, and I feel like that was the only time I could get a break to recharge a little bit and make sure, you know, I’m going to be fresh for next year.”

The world No. 5 anticipates some ring rust but obviously has Rolex Series event pedigree and the power game that can bring Greg Norman’s Earth layout to its knees, weather dependant.

“I really don’t know how it’s going to go. I’m hoping it’s going to be good. I am feeling good. Feeling rested and looking forward to the week,” he said.

“It’s definitely a ball-striker’s golf course, and that’s obviously what suits me. My strength of the game is off the tee, and it’s a course where if you hit it long off the tee, you’re going to give yourself a lot of chances, and I think that will be the biggest aspect of it. There’s obviously many ways to shoot low around here.”

So are you happy being the third-placed hunter behind Tommy Fleetwood or would you prefer going into the week with a bullseye on your back like Wiesberger?

“I’d rather be the front man, honestly. You don’t necessarily have to win. You just need to play good. But I’m here to win, and hopefully I just get it done and not have to think about possible consequences about it.”