Jon Rahm recently expressed regret after an incident during the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania. While attempting to play a 170-yard shot on the seventh hole, Rahm’s club inadvertently sent a clump of grass flying into a nearby volunteer’s face.
Incident Overview
The incident occurred as Rahm took a shot from the left rough. Although he aimed for the pin, the ball overshot the green. Frustrated by the outcome, he aggressively struck the ground, inadvertently launching turf into the gallery.
Volunteer Impacted
An older volunteer stationed along the rope line was hit by the grass, which struck both his shoulder and face. The crowd reacted in shock as Rahm quickly realized what had happened. He immediately approached the volunteer, placed a hand on his shoulder, and apologized for the incident.
Rahm’s Response
- Jon Rahm: “I couldn’t feel any worse.”
- Plans to reach out: Rahm expressed a desire to track down the volunteer to offer a gift as an apology, stating it was “inexcusable” and “completely avoidable.”
PGA Championships Conduct Policy
The PGA of America recently introduced a new player code of conduct aimed at maintaining professional behavior during tournaments. Kerry Haigh, the Chief Championships Officer, stated that the policy is intended to ensure players behave appropriately and set an example for spectators.
Despite the incident, a spokesperson from the PGA confirmed that Rahm’s action did not result in any violations. The spokesperson explained that the incident was deemed accidental, with no intent to harm, thus not warranting a warning.
Rahm’s Performance
On that day, Rahm finished with a score of 1-under 69. He is scheduled to tee off at 2:05 p.m. ET for the second round of the championship.
