Wednesday 28 June 2017 11:37, UK
Jon Rahm admits he already has one eye on next year's Ryder Cup ahead of making his Rolex Series debut at the Open de France.
Rahm's appearance at Le Golf National is his first on European soil since he become a European Tour member earlier this year, with the Spaniard one of seven players from the world's top 30 in action.
This week's venue will also host the 2018 Ryder Cup, with Rahm looking to impress ahead of potentially being part of Thomas Bjorn's plans next autumn.
"To come here and play here and to have a chance to be there next year, it's more realistic and it's like a dream come true," Rahm told reporters on Tuesday.
"Hopefully I can keep my game up and hopefully I will be able to represent Europe, my first Ryder Cup in Europe in a great city like Europe and Versailles, and so close to Spain where hopefully I'll be able to get some support.
"I really can't describe how it will feel but I know it will be a pretty amazing feeling. I'm excited to try to play my best golf to make that dream come true."
The 22-year-old has surged up the world rankings since turning professional after last year's US Open, winning the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour and posting top-five finishes at both World Golf Championship events.
Rahm heads into this week third in the Race to Dubai standings, with the world No 11 relishing the opportunity to play back-to-back events in Europe over the coming weeks.
"I'm obviously very excited for many possible reasons," Rahm added. "I'd like to say my journey on the European Tour started in Mexico, although it is the first time I'm playing a European Tour event in Europe.
"This is probably one of the best golf courses I've ever played. I played it when I was 14, 15 years old in The European Young Masters in 2009 and it's changed quite a bit since then, and so have I, so I really wanted to come back.
"Being one of the Rolex Series events, being one of the most important events of the year, I wanted to come here and hopefully show my support and try and play as best as I can."
This week's event is the latest in The Open Qualifying Series, with three players in the top 10 and ties who aren't already exempt for next month's major booking their spot at Royal Birkdale.
Watch the Open de France throughout the week live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf. Live coverage begins on Thursday from 9.30am.
