Jon Rahm Avoids Penalty After Club Throw at British Open

Code of Conduct Warning Sticks but No Stroke Deduction

During Friday’s second round at Royal Birkdale, Jon Rahm sent his approach shot from the par‑3 15th well left of the green. In a visibly frustrated moment, he thrust his club forward with his left hand and walked slowly toward the putting surface, drawing a close look from the NBC broadcast team.

Rahm recorded a bogey on the hole, dropping to 2‑under for the tournament at that point. R&A officials caught up with him on the 17th tee and handed down an official code‑of‑conduct warning, which will stay on his record for the remainder of The Open. He responded with back‑to‑back birdies and a near‑miss on the 18th, posting a 67 and an overall 4‑under total.

The warning left Rahm four shots behind leader Lucas Herbert, who now holds the Claret Jug favor. Because the infraction carried no two‑stroke penalty, the Spaniard’s position remains within striking distance, making the final 36 holes feel more manageable than if he’d been down six shots.

Context: Similar Incident, Different Outcome

Two months earlier, Joaquín Niemann faced a comparable outburst at the U.S. Open, tossing his club roughly 50 yards after two drives out of bounds. That produced a two‑shot penalty, nudging him from a potential top‑three finish to a tie for seventh. Rahm’s situation avoids that steep drop, preserving his chances at the historic trophy.

This episode follows a busy season for Rahm. He has collected multiple LIV Golf victories, finished runner‑up at the PGA Championship, and missed the cut at the U.S. Open. The Spaniard currently sits at No. 11 in the Official World Golf Rankings and returned to the Open alongside fellow LIV standout Bryson DeChambeau.

What It Means for the Final Rounds

With the warning noted but no strokes deducted, the pressure eases slightly for Rahm heading into the weekend. Maintaining his current form could allow him to climb back into contention, especially if leader Lucas Herbert falters. For now, a four‑shot deficit feels far more within reach than a six‑shot one.