Top-ranked golfers are expected to maintain composure under pressure, but Jon Rahm shattered that expectation at the Spanish Open on Thursday. After his drive found the left rough on the par-4 eighth hole at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, Rahm saw his lie and erupted: “What a day, what a day,” followed by an expletive. The marshal marking his ball tried to ease the tension with a simple “It’s OK,” but seeing what happened next, he probably shouldn’t have.

Rahm immediately turned to him and snapped: “Don’t tell me it’s OK, please. Thank you.” As the marshal apologized and walked away, Rahm continued his complaints: “It’s not OK.” The incident highlighted a rough return for the former world No. 1, who finished Thursday’s round at 1-over 72—six strokes behind leaders Marco Penge and Frederic Lacroix.

Despite holing a bunker shot for eagle on the par-5 14th, Rahm’s round crumbled with four bogeys and just one birdie. The disappointing performance came as he attempted to win a record fourth Spanish Open title and surpass legendary Seve Ballesteros as the tournament’s most successful golfer since the European Tour’s 1972 creation.

Playing alongside Shane Lowry, who made the clinching Ryder Cup putt for Europe in New York last month, both struggled in their return to competitive action. Lowry fared even worse, shooting 4-over 75 with six bogeys. Rahm had previously described the Ryder Cup as “the toughest week mentally of his career,” where the raucous American crowd tormented European players throughout.

Last year’s Spanish Open ended in heartbreak for Rahm when fellow Spaniard Ángel Hidalgo defeated him in a playoff. The loss denied him the chance to surpass Ballesteros immediately, and the wait has only intensified the pressure. “Coming to Spain, an event that matters so much to me, hoping to win for the fourth time. Hard to put it into words, right. [It] may not be the biggest event in the world but to me it’s one of the biggest,” Rahm said just days before Thursday’s opening round.

The emotional stakes extend beyond personal glory. Rahm’s golf journey began directly because of Ballesteros and the 1997 Ryder Cup, when his father’s friends introduced him to the sport after watching Seve’s heroics. “I’ve spoken many times about how that 1997 Ryder Cup and Seve making the win that week, some friends of my dad’s started me playing golf otherwise who knows what else I’d be. I’m here because of that alone,” he explained. For Rahm, this isn’t just another tournament—it’s honoring the man who made his entire career possible.

The stakes couldn’t be higher this week. For the first time, the Spanish Open offers an automatic Masters qualification spot to the winner, with The Open entry going to the top finisher not otherwise qualified. World No. 1 tennis player Carlos Alcaraz was among those following Rahm’s opening round.

When a well-meaning marshal attempted to console the frustrated Spaniard, Rahm’s response left spectators stunned and fans fuming online.

Fans Connect Rahm’s Frustration to LIV Golf Move

Golf fans wasted no time criticizing Rahm’s behavior on social media, with many connecting his visible frustration to his controversial switch to LIV Golf in December 2023. The $500 million deal shocked the golf world, especially after Rahm had declared his “fealty to the PGA Tour” in February 2022 and dismissed LIV rumors just months before joining.

“Seems really happy after making the move to LIV. 😂” one fan wrote sarcastically, suggesting Rahm’s on-course demeanor reflects deeper dissatisfaction with his decision. Another mocked: “😂 just a LIV loser.”

The criticism extended beyond simple ridicule. “He was just trying to be nice. 😕” One user commented, defending the marshal’s innocent attempt to offer encouragement. Others pointed out perceived double standards in golf coverage: “If Rory did this golf Twitter would calling for him to be sent to The Hague.”

The backlash comes as Rahm continues adjusting to life with LIV Golf’s Legion XIII team. His world ranking has plummeted from the top three to 25th since joining the Saudi-backed circuit, which doesn’t award Official World Golf Ranking points. The DP World Tour has also fined and banned him from competing in LIV events, though he received special consideration to compete in his national championship.

Rahm’s signing represented LIV Golf’s biggest coup—landing a two-time major champion and former world No. 1 who had repeatedly dismissed the circuit’s format. He told a Spanish podcast in August 2023: “I laugh when people rumor me with LIV Golf. I never liked the format.” Just four months later, he announced on Fox News that he’d accepted LIV’s offer, explaining: “I had a really good offer in front of me and I’ve done it for my family.”

Whether Thursday’s frustration stems from Ryder Cup exhaustion, LIV Golf regrets, or simply poor play remains unclear. What’s certain is that Rahm’s marshal outburst has damaged his reputation heading into a tournament where he desperately needs to recapture his winning form on Spanish soil.