The Open Championship is finally making a return this week after the global pandemic forced organizers to skip the major in 2020, and among the players expected to attract most of the attention at Royal St. George's Golf Club is Jon Rahm. The Spaniard is arguably the best golfer on the planet right now, thanks in part to a particular swing he developed because of a past physical deformity.

Rahm was born with a club foot on his right leg, which meant that bones in his ankles had to be broken in order for the form to be corrected.

Rahm spoke about it ahead of The Open Championship, via Independent:

“So when I was born they basically pretty much broke every bone in the ankle and I was casted within 20 minutes of being born from the knee down.

“I think every week I had to go back to the hospital to get re-casted, so from the knee down my leg didn’t grow at the same rate. So I have very limited ankle mobility in my right leg. It’s a centimetre and a half shorter, as well.

Article Continues Below
More Golf News
Maja Stark tees off the 1st hole during the final round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament.
Maja Stark fends off Nelly Korda charge to take US Women’s OpenChristopher Hennessy ·
Scottie Scheffler tees off on two during the final round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club
Scottie Scheffler joins Tiger Woods again after win at The MemorialChristopher Hennessy ·
Justin Rose hits his second shot on 18 during the first round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin
PGA Tour star shaves off 10 strokes at Memorial into contentionKendall Capps ·
Scottie Scheffler reacts after making his putt on the 14th green during the second round of the Memorial Tournament
Scottie Scheffler has hilarious Mavericks thought at The MemorialKendall Capps ·
Charlie Woods lines up a putt on No. 10 green during the final round of the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley Golf Club
Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie Woods, lights up golf world with 1st winKendall Capps ·
Graniteville, South Carolina, USA; Charlie Woods tees off No. 11 during the final round of the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley Golf Club.
Tiger Woods’ son Charlie earns first-ever junior victoryMiguel La Torre ·

In addition to that admission, Jon Rahm also shared how that helped his golf game growing up.

“I didn't take a full swing because my right ankle doesn't have the mobility or stability to take it. So I learned at a very young age that I'm going to be more efficient at creating power and be consistent from a short swing.

Everything turned out well for Rahm. He's got a major win so far in his career after winning the 2021 US Open last June. He will look to build on that momentum when he tees off this week at The Open Championship, where he had a T11 in 2019 at Royal Portrush.