Jon Rahm apologized after a divot from a frustrated swing struck a volunteer during the first round of the 108th PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, per the report. Rahm said he was unhappy with his approach on the par-4 seventh hole when he attempted an air swing and unintentionally took a divot that hit the man in the face and shoulder.
Per the report, Rahm immediately apologized to the volunteer and expressed remorse afterward, saying he felt terrible and wanted to find the man to give him a gift because the incident was avoidable. Rahm described the action as an ill-advised attempt to make an air swing and acknowledged he was not looking when he took the divot.
The report notes Rahm, identified as a LIV Golf League captain, posted a 1-under 69 in the opening round. He began on the back nine, opened with a bogey at No. 10 and turned at 1-over 36. Another bogey at the first hole moved him to 2 over before he holed out from 98 yards for an eagle on the par-4 second — his first eagle in a PGA Championship, per the report.
Rahm called the eagle a “phenomenal shot” and reflected that an earlier shot choice on the front nine had been the wrong play before committing on the second and seeing the ball go in, the report says. His poor approach at No. 7 resulted in the divot incident and another bogey, but he finished the round with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 8 and 9.
The report adds that Rahm was in contention at last year’s PGA until the back nine of the final round at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, and that he entered Round 2 tied for 15th after Thursday’s play.
