How often do you remember seeing Jon Rahm smiling on the course? Very rarely. So, after LIV Golf Mexico, the media asked Jon Rahm the same thing. The Spaniard did not take the question too well, responding in kind, vouching for him and his Legion XIII teammate Tyrrell Hatton. “I would say it might not be shown on the broadcast, but both Tyrrell and I smile a lot more than I think we’re given credit for, to be honest. Honestly, if we made a couple mistakes on a couple bad holes, there’s nothing to smile about,” Rahm had stated. Now, he may not smile that often, usually, but in Mexico, on Sunday, he had a valid reason.

So, Rahm was at the 625-yard par-5 at the Club de Golf Chapultepec, the 7th hole of the event. He walked up to the ball and hit his drive with power. But his accuracy seemed to be lacking, as the ball seemingly veered off to his right despite traveling a good 325 yards. Rahm was frustrated at the bend that came on the ball after he hit his shot.

“What the f–k is that doing?” he stated in disbelief as he walked back and let Tyrrell Hatton hit his tee shot. “How does that move so far right?” He further expressed doubt seemingly to no one in particular before commenting, “F—ing altitude.” A very visible episode of frustration for the Spaniard. Rahm’s outbursts are not strange to golfing fans.

At the 2024 Masters, Rahm went into an expletive-laden tirade after a bad round of golf on day 1 culminated in a disastrous ending. After missing with his drive all day, Rham stepped up to the tee on the 18th hole, only for his drive to miss right. “Go F— yourself. Every drive on the back nine to the f—ing right. God damn, f—k.” Rahm let his emotions get the better of him after a horrible start to his title defense at Augusta.

Then, the Spaniard was also involved in another similar moment at the Nashville event of the LIV Golf in 2024. The two-time Major winner was yet to win at LIV Golf during that stage, and clearly that was weighing on him. On day 3 of the event, Rahm was at 5-under after five holes. At the sixth hole, right as he was taking a shot, a loud noise, seemingly from a LIV drone, distracted him, causing his shot to land on the water. Cue the expletives! “Every tournament! It’s f—ing incredible! Right in my backswing! F—ing drones every time!” Rahm yelled, looking back at the culprit.

Despite frustrations not being new for Jon Rahm, the shot at Mexico and the reaction that followed drew a lot of unwanted attention on social media, with several fans commenting that Rahm’s attitude has gotten worse since joining the Saudi-backed league in the 2024 season.

Fans criticize Jon Rahm’s reaction

“I, for one, don’t generally have an issue with hearing their frustration as long as it’s not over the top. And I prefer their shot instead of something to do with a fan. I enjoy seeing the pros struggle,” stated one fan. You see, it is natural to have frustrations when the outcome does not match your expectations, and Rahm’s outburst is a clear example of that. However, the concern is that it is getting more and more frequent.

Several fans believed that the two-time Major winner’s frustrations have taken over his whole personality ever since he signed with LIV Golf in December 2023. Before joining LIV, Rahm was a calm golfer who rarely had any meltdowns on the course. It was an egregious decision then, and the Spaniard faced severe criticism from all corners of the golfing world, especially considering that he was very vocal against the LIV. One fan commented with this in mind, “Since he left for LIV, he’s just an angry golfer slowly losing his (once great) edge. Can’t blame him—LIV is a sh@tshow. Money can’t buy class.”

Even at the recently concluded Masters Tournament, Rahm had an episode similar to this. During the first day at the par-4 ninth hole at Augusta, Rahm’s tee shot went into the brush. Right after his shot, he let his driver fall onto his back foot and then kicked it away. He then brought the club down in a snapping motion, but decided against it in the last second. No profanity, but the frustration was very evident. Another fan blamed his joining LIV Golf for his frequent meltdowns. “Not like @JonRahmOfficial to be moaning….well, not until he sold his soul.” Rahm moved to LIV for nearly $350 million.

One fan went on a personal attack on Rahm, suggesting his change in attitude over the years, stating, “Rahm is becoming a tu*d!” The league also caught some strays owing to Rahm’s vocal exploits on the course, with another fan commenting that LIV Golf is a “sick league,” letting players say profanity-laden dialogues during the course without any consequence.

What do you think of the situation? Do you think golfers are allowed to show their frustrations on the course like that?