Rahm Labors to 72 in Spanish Open Return as Coussaud Leads, Lowry Posts 75
New winner's exemptions to the Masters plus The Open sharpen Rahm's pursuit of a record fourth title after a mentally draining Ryder Cup week.
Overview
- Jon Rahm opened with a 1-over 72 in Madrid, making an eagle from a bunker on the par-5 14th with just one birdie and four bogeys, including a bogey at his final hole.
- Rahm briefly confronted a marshal who told him “It’s OK,” replying, “Don’t tell me it’s OK, please. Thank you,” before the marshal apologized.
- Shane Lowry, playing alongside Rahm, shot a 4-over 75 with six bogeys and two birdies in his first start since Europe’s Ryder Cup win.
- Ugo Coussaud set the pace late with a 6-under 65, one shot clear of Frederic Lacroix, Bernd Wiesberger and Marco Penge at 5-under.
- Rahm is chasing a record fourth Spanish Open title at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, and he has called the Ryder Cup the toughest week mentally of his career.