Jon Rahm apologizes after hitting volunteer with flying divot at PGA Championship: 'no excuses'

Jon Rahm is one of the few best golfers in the world, and, from his media presence and frequent golf appearances on YouTube, he is thoughtful, funny and personable. On the course, in tournaments, however, Rahm is known to be among golf's fiercest competitors. And without a doubt, his staunch critic.

That change played out again in the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, just outside of Philadelphia.

Before the tournament, some expected Aronimink to play easier than other major golf courses due to the lack of trees or other hazards around the fairways. But as Thursday's game drew to a close, it was played harder than many expected. With a par 70 layout, the leaders hovered around three under. Rahm, in his post-round press conference, had as much to say.

“There was someone at the beginning of the week when there were discussions where people thought that the 15- to 20-year-olds would win,” he explained. “And I think that got to somebody at the PGA, and they did something about it. Because if the golf course stays like this and keeps getting stronger, yeah, obviously it's not going to be anything like that.”

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Well, he found himself playing hard on the seventh hole.

Rahm pulled his drive just short of the fairway in the rough left. He caught the plane in a difficult position, and went long for the second time and went right. Angered by the shot and the result, several reporters on the ground said Rahm swung his club into the tall grass and…sent it flying straight at a volunteer standing nearby, hitting him in the face.

Athletic's Gabby Herzig explained it on the X site, “A frustrated Jon Rahm just swung after a close call on No. 7. It caused a bunch of grass to fly into the volunteer's face.” He added that it appeared that Rahm “was upset about it,” and that he “came over and apologized immediately.”

Jon Rahm of Spain tosses his ball into the crowd on the second green during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown, Pa., on May 14, 2026. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

In a difficult situation, he was injured and unable to get up and down, he settled for bogey. Some viewers caught his swing on ESPN's Featured Groups coverage.

After the round, Rahm was asked about it, saying he “doesn't feel bad” about it.

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“Thank you for reminding me of that,” he said. “I got a flier on my second shot that went a long way. It's not a good spot. Out of frustration, I tried to make a swing, just over the grass, and I wasn't looking, I took a divot, and unfortunately, I hit the volunteer.”

He added, “Yes, he hit her, and unfortunately she hit him in the shoulder and in the face. Which is more unheard of. That's why I was there apologizing. I need to follow him somehow to give him a gift because that's unforgivable and something that was completely avoidable. Whether it was my intention or not, it was just not good.”

Jon Rahm of Spain raises his hand after puttingt on the sixth hole during the first practice round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa., on May 14, 2026. (Matt Slocum/AP)

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Rahm, being the player that he is, recovered to finish his round at 1, putting him in contention for his third major title. Oh, and in one of the many rounds of the day, he went outside twice, including more than 100 yards outside.

Never a dull moment.