By Craig Swan

Copyright dailyrecord

Iconic memories of hero Seve Ballesteros’ famous Wentworth moments lift Jon Rahm every time he walks the West Course. The Spanish star senses the fabulous history around the venue as he gets set for the BMW PGA Championship. Ballesteros, in particular, was responsible for two of the most famous ones during his time as a hero of the game. In 1981, the legend was involved in the fruitcake incident when a slice caught in his throat during the Final of the 1991 World Matchplay against Nick Price. Helpless Seve coughed on the Zimbabwean’s downswing due to the offending food item leading to his rival duffing his strike. Ballesteros’ special connection with fans was also evident when, on the penultimate hole of another major Wentworth tournament, footage shows him stepping off a key shot to address someone behind him and saying: “I know you are nervous, but I am too!” Rahm knows he’s walking in illustrious footsteps and said: “It’s hard not to picture some of the great moments in the history of this course walking down those fairways. “I think every time I get to 17, at least once or twice a week, I think of Seve’s comment to the photographer. “Was it [the] fruitcake incident here as well? I’m not sure. But that always comes to mind. Seems like it was here. “A few of the great moments of the past. Alex Noren, 10-under on Sunday, Luke Donald winning back-to-back. It’s a lot of great history and great memories that I’m very fond of.” Ballesteros, of course, is an icon of The Ryder Cup and his spirit will live amongst the squad again as they head to Bethpage for their clash with America at the end of the month. Rahm wants to do well in the tournament, but he knows the significance of the gathering with squad members and management. He said: “It’s tricky because, obviously, I want to do well in the event and prepare, but obviously we need time to get together in the afternoon and dinner during the week. The earlier, the better. I wouldn’t be surprised if, like in the past, Ryder Cup team-mates played together this week and spent some more time together on the course as well. “Luckily the team is similar. Same face, different name, with the Hojgaards, I guess. And Rasmus was part of the Ryder Cup last time, he was there with Nicolai and Thomas [Bjorn]. I think we are already a step ahead in that sense than we were in Rome. “But I’m sure we’re going to do some of the same little routines that we did in Rome that got the team really close together. We are all going to be fairly tired Monday morning, but I think it’s going to be a lot of fun to spend those two days together and get an idea of what the week is going to be like. “For the most part we all know each other. So I think we just get maybe the nerves out of the way. The first time you see each other and being in the team hotel already a week earlier, that familiarity that we’re already going to have, maybe it will make it easier but when it’s Monday of the Ryder Cup. “I haven’t spoken to Luke about who I may or may not play with, but we still have an event to play for. So you don’t want to add too much into the schedule in the week and then, once Thursday and Friday come and the tee times on the week, it’s difficult. “Next week, it will be a week off and your mind can wander. At this stage of the season, do proper practising so you’re ready for the whole week. I’d like to think I’m on top of things.” Ballesteros’ close friend Jose-Maria Olazabal is on Donald’s assistant captain’s list again and said: “We’re so lucky to have Jose be a part of it because the legend of Seve comes so alive when he’s there to tell you the stories and tell you what happened. “If anybody else is trying to explain what he was and what happened in some of those team rooms, I almost feel like comes up short. And I get a little extra lucky because, even though his English is very good, he can put a lot more meaning into it in Spanish. “I hear the stories and I can say in Spanish a little bit extra feeling to it which is even better. It’s just a little bit higher and brings it even more alive which is incredible. I’ve heard many of the stories with different people and every time I hear it, it’s like for the first time. The goosebumps come and it’s very funny stories and he’s an integral part of our team.”