Jon Rahm’s temper erupts in notable U.S. Open meltdown

Jon Rahm was a legitimate favorite coming into the week at Erin Hills, but like a group of more seasoned, accomplished, veterans, the tempestuous Spaniard won’t be around for the weekend. Unlike fellow trunk-slammers Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, and Jason Day, the 22-year-old Spaniard let everyone know how displeased he was with how he played on his way to missing the cut (5-over for two days) at his first U.S. Open as a professional.

Rahm, with a win, a second, and a third this season, displayed an unpleasant temper throughout his two days at the tournament, all while playing alongside two players, Rickie Fowler and Hideki Matsuyama, who were in contention for the win. Several folks on the ground documented the hot-tempered Rahm’s march for the second day in a row.

And this from a guy who claims to love playing under the stress of competition.

“Luckily for me, I’ve always been someone who likes to play under that pressure — I like the adversity,” Rahm told CNN. “I like to rise above that because I want to have the most amount of fun. I think that’s why every time I’ve been against the ropes or had to do something, I’ve been able to do it.”

We’re sure Rickie (1-over 73 on Friday) will be circumspect in his post-round comments, but having to deal with Rahm’s antics on every hole and green while battling course conditions and a suddenly balky putter had to tick off the mild-mannered Fowler. One has to wonder if Rahm’s theatrics had anything to do with Fowler breaking his streak of 28 straight holes without a bogey and then posting three straight on holes 10, 11, and 12, finishing at 1-over for the day, 6-under for the week, and one shot back of the four co-leaders.

We’ve now gotten several anecdotes of Rahm losing it on the course in recent weeks, but these two days at the U.S. Open were the most intense, most high-profile, and most consistent from hole-to-hole.

Seriously, dude, get it together.