Rahm’s Tense Spanish Open Start Includes Marshal Spat, 72 Leaves Him Off Pace

The tournament now grants the winner entry to next year’s Masters plus The Open.

Overview

After a drive into the left rough on the eighth, a marshal told Jon Rahm “It’s OK,” prompting Rahm’s reply, “Don’t tell me it’s OK, please,” followed by “It’s not OK.”
Rahm finished the opening round at 1-over 72 with a holed bunker shot for eagle on the par-5 14th, one birdie and four bogeys.
Playing partner Shane Lowry started with a 4-over 75 that featured six bogeys and two birdies, following what Rahm described as the toughest mental week of his career at the Ryder Cup.
France’s Ugo Coussaud led after a 6-under 65, with Frederic Lacroix, Bernd Wiesberger and England’s Marco Penge posting 66.
A three-time winner in Madrid, Rahm is chasing a fourth Spanish Open title to move past Seve Ballesteros as the event’s most successful player in the European Tour era.