It's been a rough week for Jon Rahm—and it's only Thursday. The Spaniard's turbulent opening round at the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink took an unfortunate turn when a moment of frustration led to an unintended incident involving a volunteer.

Rahm's week started on a tense note Tuesday, when reporters pressed him on his decision to join LIV Golf in 2023. Though he handled the questions with composure, the discomfort was clear. That agitation seemed to carry over to the course Thursday, where Rahm struggled through his first 10 holes before briefly finding relief with an improbable hole-out eagle on his second hole (he started on the back nine).

But the reprieve was short-lived. After a poor shot from the fairway rough at the 7th hole, Rahm took a frustrated swing at the turf. According to The Athletic's Gabby Herzig, the swing dislodged a chunk of grass that flew through the air, striking a nearby volunteer in the side of the face. While the divot itself wasn't visible on ESPN+'s broadcast, the reaction from those nearby told the story: fans gasped, and the volunteer was seen holding his face in the immediate aftermath.

Rahm immediately went over to check on the elderly man before continuing to the green. After his round, he took full responsibility. "I got a flier on my second shot that went long. It's not a good spot," Rahm explained. "Out of frustration, I tried to make an air swing, just over the grass, and I wasn't looking, took a divot, and unfortunately, I hit a volunteer... It hit him in the shoulder and then the face. I couldn't feel any worse. That's why I was there apologizing. I need to somehow track him down to give him a present because that's inexcusable and for something that could be completely avoidable. Whether it was my intention or not, it was just not good."

For Rahm, a player known for his fiery passion on the course, this incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly emotions can escalate—even for the best in the game. As the PGA Championship continues, all eyes will be on how Rahm channels that intensity moving forward.