MASTERS champion Jon Rahm has backed Scotland's Robert MacIntyre to secure a Ryder Cup debut in Rome as Europe bid to regain the trophy.
MacIntyre moved into the automatic qualifying places on the back of his runner-up finish in the Scottish Open, where he made an amazing birdie on the 72nd hole, only to see Rory McIlroy birdie the 17th and 18th to win by one.
The left-hander's credentials are also boosted by the fact he beat US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick in a play-off to win the Italian Open last year at the Ryder Cup venue, Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.
"Given the fact that he beat Rory (who was fourth) and Fitzy a couple of years ago at that golf course to win the Italian Open, I think his chances were always good, but he's definitely been in good form lately, playing good golf," Rahm said ahead of the 151st Open Championship.
"He had a good chance in Denmark. He played really good last week. It was an incredible finish by Rory.
"Even though that pin on 17 might have been the easier one, in the last hour or so of broadcast, I didn't see anybody get within 20 feet. To finish the way he did was absolutely incredible.
"It was unfortunate that Bob made that bogey on 16, but that birdie on 18 was nothing short of miraculous. Hitting that second shot into the green was incredible.
"If somebody who can do that, shoot six under on those weather conditions, is not a candidate, I don't know who else can be. Yeah, he should definitely be a candidate. I like his chances."
Rahm's victory in the Masters in April means he is certain to be part of Luke Donald's European team in Rome and the world number three now has his sights set on becoming just the second Spanish winner of the Open.
Seve Ballesteros lifted the Claret Jug in 1979, 1984 and 1988, while Sergio Garcia lost a play-off to Padraig Harrington in 2007 and was joint second behind McIlroy the last time Royal Liverpool hosted in 2014.
"It would be obviously an incredible feeling (to win)," the two-time major winner said. "There's many reasons I could give you for that.
"To be the first one to win an Open since Seve for Spain would be quite special. It's amazing to me that some of the great golfers we've had haven't been able to do it, and they've been close. It would be a true honour to get there, to get to three majors, to be the second on the Spanish list.
"And then to be able to win at this golf course, knowing the history of the players that have won here in the last few times we've been, it would be great."
