Jon Rahm has apologized for what he described as an "inexcusable" incident during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink. A divot of grass, dislodged by a frustrated swing, struck a tournament volunteer.
The golfer's actions, which resulted in a volunteer being hit in the shoulder and face, occurred on the seventh hole on Thursday. Rahm stated he was attempting an "air swing" out of frustration after an errant second shot, but instead caught the turf and sent the grass flying. He immediately apologized to the volunteer, and intends to make further amends.
Post-Round Statements
Rahm, speaking after signing for a one-under-par 69, expressed his deep regret. "I couldn't feel any worse," he remarked. He clarified that while he wasn't looking at the ground when he made the swing, the outcome was unacceptable.
"Whether it was my intention or not, it was just not good."
Incident Details
The episode unfolded on Rahm's 16th hole of the day. After a poor second shot that landed in thick rough, Rahm overswung in apparent frustration. His club made contact with the ground, sending a substantial divot into the air.
Read More: Smalley Leads PGA Championship By 2 Shots After Round 2
Tournament Context
The incident took place during the opening round of the PGA Championship, the season's second major. Rahm was grouped with notable players Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth. Despite the incident, Rahm recovered during his round, making birdies on the subsequent holes. The volunteer involved was reportedly not issued a warning for any breach of conduct.
Scrutiny and Regulations
This event occurs amidst the PGA's implementation of a new player code of conduct. The tour employs a rolling three-strike system, which can lead to penalties including warnings, two-stroke deductions, and disqualification for repeated or severe offenses. The full implications for Rahm, if any, remain undetermined.
