Watch the tense moment Jon Rahm snapped at a marshal during the first round of the 2025 Spanish Open. After his drive found the left rough on the par-4 eighth hole, Rahm expressed frustration with his lie, prompting a marshal to try to console him by saying “It’s OK.” Rahm immediately fired back: “Don’t tell me it’s OK, please. Thank you.”
This incident comes as both Rahm and Shane Lowry struggled in their return to action after helping Europe win the Ryder Cup. Rahm described the Ryder Cup as the “toughest week mentally” of his career, and that mental fatigue appeared to carry over to the Spanish Open.
Despite holing a bunker shot for eagle on the par-5 14th, Rahm finished with a 1-over 72, while Lowry shot 4-over 75. The clubhouse leaders were Englishman Marco Penge and Frenchman Frederic Lacroix at 5-under 66.
Rahm is attempting to win a record fourth Spanish Open title, which would surpass the legendary Seve Ballesteros. This year’s tournament offers an automatic spot in next year’s Masters and The Open Championship to the winner.
World No. 1 tennis player Carlos Alcaraz was among those following Rahm during Thursday’s opening round in Madrid.
Golf fans, brace yourselves for a dramatic twist in the world of professional golf. John Rom, fresh off his RDER Cup victory, found himself in a heated exchange with a marshall during the first round of the Spanish Open and it’s sparking conversations across the sport. But here’s where it gets controversial. Was Rahm’s reaction justified or did he cross a line? Let’s dive into the details. On a crisp October morning in Madrid, John Romh and Shane Lowry returned to the course after their triumphant Rder Cup win only to face a different kind of challenge. Rahm, known for his fiery competitiveness, found his drive in the left rough on the par4 8th hole. Frustration bubbled over as he muttered, “What a day! What a day!” followed by an expletive that left no doubt about his mood. When a marshall attempted to console him with a reassuring, “It’s okay,” Rohm snapped back. “Don’t tell me it’s okay. Please, thank you.” The marshall, taken aback, apologized and walked away. But Rohm wasn’t done venting. It’s not okay. Despite the tension, Rohm managed to par the hole, but Boheed the next, finishing the day with a 1 over 72. His round included a stunning eagle from a bunker on the par 514th, but it was overshadowed by four bogeies and just one birdie. Playing alongside Rohm was Shane Lowry, the hero of the RDER Cup’s clinching putt in New York, who struggled with a four over 75, carding six bogeies and two birdies. And this is the part most people miss. Rohm’s outburst wasn’t just about a bad shot. He later revealed that the Rder Cup was the toughest week mentally of his career with the rockest home crowd in New York adding to the pressure. Could this be a lingering effect of that intense experience or is Rohm simply holding himself to an impossibly high standard? Meanwhile, the clubhouse lead was shared by Englishman Marco Pang and Frenchman Frederick Laqua. Both shooting impressive five under 66s. Rahm, however, has his eyes on a bigger prize. A record fourth Spanish Open title, which would surpass the legendary Sevi Balisteros as the tournament’s most successful golfer since 1972. With victories in 2018, 2019, and 2022, Rahm is no stranger to Madrid’s club DMPOA, though he fell short in a playoff last year to fellow Spaniard Angel Hidalgo. Here’s the kicker. This year’s Spanish Open winner will earn an automatic spot in next year’s Masters and the Open Championship, adding even more stakes to Rom’s pursuit. And in a surprising crossover, world number one tennis player, Carlos Alcarez, another Spanish sports icon, was among the spectators following Rahm’s opening round. But let’s circle back to the controversy. Was Rohm’s reaction to the Marshall understandable given the pressure he’s under? Or did he let his emotions get the better of him? And what does this say about the mental toll of professional sports? Weigh in below. Do you think Rahm’s outburst was justified or did he cross the line? Let the debate
