Former world number one Jon Rahm got visibly annoyed with a fan at LIV Golf United Kingdom towards the end of his second round.
During the second round of the LIV Golf United Kingdom event at JCB Golf & Country Club in Staffordshire, Jon Rahm experienced a notably frustrating moment due to rowdy spectators. The incident unfolded on the par-4 16th hole, where Rahm was facing a challenging chip shot with very little green to work with. As he prepared for his third shot, a group of exuberant and seemingly inebriated fans began to distract him.
Amidst the backdrop of the cheering crowd, Rahm took several practice swings, attempting to focus on the delicate shot ahead. The noise level was intensified by the crowd’s cries of “Golf but Louder,” a phrase that embodies the spirit of the LIV Golf tour’s promise to make the game more raucous and energetic. However, the situation escalated when a spectator made what appeared to be a derogatory comment about Rahm’s weight just as he was trying to regain his concentration.
The comment visibly irritated Rahm, who threw his arms up in an exasperated gesture, seemingly asking for the disruption to stop. His frustration was palpable as he struggled to maintain his composure in the face of the distracting behavior.
Rahm’s caddie, Adam Hayes, appeared to take issue with the disruption and voiced his displeasure. Reportedly, Hayes confronted the situation with a blunt response, saying, “Yeah, it’s ‘Golf but Louder’ but not when you’re yelling in our f—ing backswing, d—head.” This remark was not immediately confirmed as coming directly from Hayes, but it was clear that the commentary echoed the sentiments of those involved.
The incident drew attention from LIV Golf commentators, who were present during the broadcast. They expressed their agreement with Hayes’s reaction, acknowledging that the behavior of the spectator was out of line. Jerry Foltz, one of the commentators, noted, “We’ve all thought it,” in reference to the disruptive nature of the comment. Fellow commentator David Feherty added, “Somebody was getting the hairy eyeball there,” further indicating the intensity of the situation.
Despite the interruption, Rahm managed to complete the hole with a bogey. He signed off with a second-round score of 1-under 70, placing him in a tie for fourth position with Paul Casey at 9-under par after 36 holes. As the tournament moved into its final round, American Andy Ogletree held the lead with a score of 12-under, while other prominent players like Tyrrell Hatton, Louis Oosthuizen, Cameron Smith, Talor Gooch, and Brooks Koepka were also within the top-10 standings.
The LIV Golf event, known for its louder and more vibrant approach to the sport, thus encountered a moment of contention as the clash between traditional golf etiquette and the tour’s energetic spirit came to the forefront.
