Sky Sports commentators were left baffled when Jon Rahm only managed to find the bushes when looking to make use of the windy conditions on the ninth at The Open.
The Spaniard was furious with his shot which left him looking likely to be forced to play for a bogey as the conditions at Royal Troon continue to give players plenty to consider. However, his ball was miraculously found and he was able to scramble his way to par.
With a breeze off the right and positioned 200 yards off an upwards slope, Rahm turned to his five-iron in the hope of hooking his effort forwards.
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However, despite hitting the ball true and clean, the wind dropped at a crucial time and Rahm was left with no chance but to watch his shot sail towards a bushed area – prompting the 29-year-old to fume at what he felt was astonishing.
Rahm could be heard saying: “There’s no way. That’s in the bushes. How is that possible with the hurricane out there?”
The shot left spectators equally as stunned, with the Sky Sports commentary team initially lauding Rahm for a well-placed shot before realising that his effort was actually sailing wayward of the pin.
They said: “It was right of the scoreboard. It was right of that. It's funny when you walk up... there is trouble around this green to the right but it's Jon Rahm.
“You don't expect him to be 25 yards off line which he was in his finishing position but it wasn't out of the question.” With plenty still to play for at The Open, as well as on the opening day of the competition, Rahm has more than enough time to right the wrongs of the shot – though he may be more wary about the emphasis he is putting on the conditions.
The rain adds to the test facing the players at Royal Troon. pic.twitter.com/pt5XWXvNLs
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 18, 2024
The LIV Golf star is keen to continue Spain’s sensational sporting run whilst competing in Scotland following his nation’s victory at Euro 2024 and Carlos Alcaraz retaining his Wimbledon crown over the weekend.
Speaking ahead of the competition, he told BBC Sport: “It was an incredible Sunday and hopefully I can be part of extending that. It doesn’t bring [added] pressure. It almost makes you think the sporting Gods might be willing to help a little bit."
