Jon Rahm was issued an official warning for a code of conduct violation during his second round at The Open on Friday after throwing his club following a poor tee shot on the par-3 15th hole at Royal Birkdale. The Spaniard, who shot a 67 to reach four under par, received the warning under The Open's serious misconduct policy.
Warning Issued on the 17th Tee
A rules official approached Rahm on the 17th tee box to inform him of the warning. In a statement, the R&A confirmed: “Jon Rahm was issued with an official warning for throwing a club after his tee shot on the 15th hole under The Open serious misconduct policy.”
Rahm acknowledged the incident, saying: “It was just a bad shot. Actually on the tee, it was beautiful, left-to-right wind, perfect distance for a 6-iron for me, aim at the left bunker and just make a driving range swing that I’ve made hundreds of thousands of times, and it was just such a bad miss.” He added: “I wasn’t thinking about [a potential warning]. If I try to alter who I am too much, it might cost me a little bit on the course. But certainly shouldn’t have moments like the one on 15; I get it.”
The Code of Conduct Policy
The Code of Conduct policy is relatively new in professional golf, created collaboratively by the sport’s governing bodies to standardize decorum. The R&A had three options: a two-shot penalty, disqualification, or a warning, and they opted for the warning.
Bryson DeChambeau Also Penalized
The incident was not the only talking point from day two at Royal Birkdale. Bryson DeChambeau was controversially handed a two-shot penalty after shooting a 66. He was adjudged to have improved his stance while attempting to escape from the rough earlier in his round.
Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley commented on The Golf Channel: “I think it's a breach. The first five seconds when he got to the ball, that's when the breach happened. He walked up, saw his lie, and his first thing to do was to stand behind the ball. In standing behind the ball, he bedded down the grass behind it, which in turn was going to improve his back swing. For me, it's a clear breach. Bryson was obviously not agreeing with it, in a very stubborn way. That's stamping down grass behind the ball. Your line of play is not just towards your target. It's also your backswing. He's standing right there where his club should be going back.”
DeChambeau responded: “Obviously disappointed with the ruling. I don’t agree with it, but it is what it is. This fires me up. Onto the weekend. Let’s get it.”
