Rahm apologises for 'inexcusable' divot incident at PGA Championship

Two-time major champion Jon Rahm has issued an apology after striking a volunteer with a divot during the first round of the 108th PGA Championship. The incident occurred on the seventh hole at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, where Rahm took a frustrated air swing following a poor approach shot. The volunteer was struck in the face and shoulder by the resulting piece of turf.

Rahm, who finished the round with a score of one-under 69, described the event as "inexcusable" and stated his intention to locate the volunteer to offer compensation or a present. He acknowledged that the strike was a direct result of his own error, noting that he was not looking when he took the swing over the grass. "I couldn't feel any worse," Rahm said. "That's why I was there apologizing. I need to somehow track him down to give him a present because that's inexcusable and for something that could be completely avoidable."

The LIV Golf League captain explained that his frustration stemmed from a difficult lie on the second hole, where he hit a "flyer" shot that went long. This left him in an unfavorable position for his approach on the seventh. "Just out of frustration, I tried to make an air swing, just over the grass, and I wasn't looking," Rahm said. "I took a divot, and unfortunately, I hit a volunteer."

Despite the disruption, Rahm managed to salvage his opening round with a strong finish. After opening with a bogey on the 10th and another on the 1st to move to two-over par, he holed out from 98 yards for an eagle on the par-4 second hole. This marked his first eagle in a PGA Championship. Rahm credited the shot to a corrected decision-making process, noting he played more committed into the wind compared to his previous hole.

Rahm closed the round with back-to-back birdies on the 8th and 9th holes to secure his 69. The incident stands in contrast to his performance last year at Quail Hollow Club, where he remained in contention until the back nine of the final round. The identity of the volunteer and the specific severity of any injuries have not been publicly disclosed in the source material.