Jon Rahm runs a little hot from time to time, especially if something gets in the way of his pursuit of a major championship.
That’s what happened midway through the first round of the British Open where the Spaniard got hot under the collar following a poorly timed whistle.
Rahm immediately snapped at fans after an errant tee shot on the 10th hole at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. The two-time major claimed someone whistled in the middle of his backswing. He couldn’t identify the source of the distraction but offered a blanket reprimand.
“Really? Whistling right — great timing. Right in my backswing. Very smart, whoever it was,” Rahm could be heard saying on the broadcast to whoever would listen.
It didn’t get much better from there. Rahm’s tee shot missed the fairway, settling in the left rough. He then flew the green with his approach shot, leaving himself with a tricky shortside chip from behind the green. He’d eventually make a bogey there, and the tension might have lingered. Rahm also bogeyed the 11th hole, bringing him back to even par.
Rahm largely steeled himself from there back in, picking up a birdie on the 14th and finishing his day at 1-under and still very much in contention after a long day on the course.
After the round, with a little time to cool off, Rahm admitted part of his frustration was — or should have been — aimed at himself.
“I mean, if I were to paint a picture, you have the hardest tee shot on the course, raining, into the wind off the left, it’s enough. I know they’re not doing it on purpose. It just seemed like somebody trying to get a hold of someone or whatever it is. It was bad timing.
“I think I just used the moment to let out any tension I had in me,” he went on to admit. “Really that’s not — it is what it is. To be honest, it probably didn’t affect me as much as I made it sound like. It was a bad swing as well. Just a difficult hole. It’s frustrating, but it is what it is. It’s an everyday thing in golf.”
As plenty of people pointed out, Rahm should theoretically be used to playing golf in noisy environments. He’s two years into his LIV career where there’s no shortage of activity around the course, including loud music playing. That hasn’t stopped him from getting grumpy from time to time, though.
And wouldn’t you know it, those bursts of anger have coincided with poor shots.
Anyone who’s watched Rahm throughout his prolific pro golf career knows the man can get a little hot under the collar from time to time. That’s part of the package when it comes to the 2023 Masters champion.
Rahm, who started the week talking about how much it would mean for him to win the Claret Jug, should feel good about his chances to capture what would be the third leg of the career grand slam. He didn’t putt very well and struggled at times around the green, but he was one of the best approach players in the field based on strokes gained. He just needs a putt or two to fall, and he’ll be right in the mix.
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