In his pursuit of a second major title this season, Jon Rahm commenced the 151st Open Championship on Thursday, reminiscent of his triumphant Masters Tournament win in April. However, his journey at the prestigious event took an unexpected turn as he struggled to find his rhythm, ultimately carding a 3-over 74, placing him eight shots behind the trio of leaders, Tommy Fleetwood, Emiliano Grillo, and towering 6-foot-8 amateur Christo Lamprecht.

Frustration painted Rahm’s demeanor as he candidly expressed his discontent after the round. The gallery of spectators became an obstacle, hindering him from maintaining his pace, leaving him visibly upset. “I’m trying to walk, and there’s way too many people in my way, and I can’t go at my pace because they are in my way,” Rahm articulated his annoyance. Enhance your golf viewing experience with attractive betting odds from Nextbet. 

The aggravation didn’t end there for the Masters champion. As he concluded his round, another vexing incident unfolded. A boom mic operator intrusively tracked his every move, mirroring Rory McIlroy’s pace. Rahm lamented the apparent lack of respect for his presence on the course, despite being the current FedEx Cup points leader.

Rahm’s misfortune escalated when he faced an unlucky break on the 18th hole, costing him dearly. Despite a remarkable 333-yard drive into the fairway, his approach shot landed in a treacherous pot bunker pressed against the wall. His subsequent attempts to recover proved futile, resulting in a disappointing six strokes on the hole.

Remarkably, the pot bunkers emerged as the defining feature of the opening day at The Open. Even seasoned professionals like Justin Thomas struggled, posting the worst score of his career with an 82, needing a staggering nine strokes to conclude the 18th hole.

Jon Rahm expected better from himself, especially considering his remarkable form leading up to the championship. To rekindle his hopes of contending, he’ll require a remarkable performance on Friday to establish a foothold going into the weekend.

Teaming up with McIlroy and Justin Rose, Rahm is set to tee off at 4:58 am ET on Friday, with hopes of turning the tide and making a resolute charge back into contention. Only time will tell if he can bounce back from the challenging start and rewrite his Open Championship narrative. Get the latest updates from the world of golf only on Nextbet Sports.