The morning in Madrid began with a joint game by Carlos Alcaraz and Jon Rahm at Club de Campo. As part of the Open de España Pro-Am tournament, both athletes teed off at 8:42 to play nine holes together. For Alcaraz, currently ranked number one in the world tennis rankings, this marked a return to golf after a medically required break.
Jon Rahm, the former world number one in golf who joined LIV Golf at the end of 2023, also took part in this morning’s round. After the ninth hole, Rahm was joined by Shane Lowry, known for his Ryder Cup performances, where he recently secured a decisive point for the European team.
Alcaraz’s interest in golf began long ago, although doctors once advised him to take a pause. But this season, he is actively training again and has already significantly improved his handicap, now standing at 11.2. By comparison, Rafael Nadal approached near-professional levels last year, and other famous tennis players passionate about golf include Tim Henman and Andy Murray.
Between tennis tournaments, Alcaraz never misses a chance to play a round of golf. He recently played a match in New York, where his opponents were Sergio García, David Puig, and coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. Such meetings are becoming increasingly popular among professional athletes who combine different sports.
History offers many examples of tennis players trying their hand at professional golf. Ivan Lendl, for instance, played 250 rounds in a single year and took part in several European Tour events. Mardy Fish, a close friend of Sergio García, also attempted to qualify for the PGA Tour, while Yevgeny Kafelnikov dreamed of representing his country at the Olympics as a golfer.
The joint appearance of Alcaraz and Ram in Madrid was a notable event for fans of both sports. Such encounters highlight how the boundaries between sports disciplines are becoming increasingly blurred, while interest in new challenges continues to grow.
