Former Masters champion Jon Rahm endured a frustrating opening round at Augusta National on Thursday, carding a three-over 75.
The 30-year-old Spaniard struggled to find his form in his first major championship appearance since joining LIV Golf in December 2023.
Rahm's frustration was evident throughout the round as he looked to recapture the success that saw him don the green jacket two years ago.
The frustration boiled over for Rahm on the ninth tee, where he fired his shot deep into the woods on the right edge of the fairway.
Former Masters champion Jon Rahm endured a frustrating opening round at Augusta National on Thursday, carding a three-over 75
SKY
As he watched his ball sail off course, the Spaniard dropped his club in disbelief before kicking it in anger.
The hot-headed Spaniard, already two-over for the day, then picked up the club and nearly snapped it between his hands.
"Be careful, you might need that a little later on," quipped a commentator as Rahm's temper flared.
Despite his errant drive, Rahm miraculously made par at the ninth hole.
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Jon Rahm was about to snap his club after this swing pic.twitter.com/qFGySNZKsm
— MountainMan (@M0untainMan28) April 10, 2025
However, his troubles continued as he dropped another shot at the tenth, slumping to three-over.
The Spaniard then bogeyed the 11th, marking his fifth of the day.
Rahm managed to claw one shot back with a birdie four at the par-5 13th.
After completing his first 18 holes at Augusta, Rahm found himself in a tie for 63rd position.
Speaking after losing his temper, the golfer admitted that he found the course at Augusta 'very difficult'.
He said: "I'm confident.
"It's a very difficult golf course. It's going to get harder. If I can get off to a good start, post a round in the sixties tomorrow, then the weekend could be a new story."
His opening round performance highlighted the ongoing challenges he has faced in major tournaments recently.
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Since joining LIV Golf on a reported £500 million deal in 2023, Rahm has struggled to maintain his form in major championships.
He finished tied for 45th at the 2024 Masters before missing the cut at the PGA Championship at Valhalla.
Rahm was unable to compete at Pinehurst, withdrawing from the US Open due to a toe injury.
He did show signs of improvement at The Open, finishing tied for seventh at Royal Troon.
Jon Rahm won the Masters back in 2023
GETTYSpeaking to reporters ahead of this week's tournament, Rahm defended his performance since joining LIV Golf - and insisted that he'd been 'unfairly judged'.
"I think last year the state of my game was being unfairly judged based on how I played here and at the PGA compared to how I really played throughout the whole year," he said.
"While I understand why, I don't think it was the most fair."
