Jon Rahm’s British Open meltdown: glove shredded after first shot out of bounds

Jon Rahm’s British Open title defense ended in chaos on Friday, 18 July, when his first shot of the round flew out of bounds and he tore his glove apart in frustration.

What happened?

Rahm, the 2023 Open champion, started his second round at the 156th Open Championship with a tee shot that landed in a penalty area at the par-4 1st hole. The error forced a stroke-and-distance penalty, and he chose to rip his glove apart with both hands in a rare display of raw emotion. The meltdown set the tone for a round that quickly slipped out of reach.

Why it matters for Jon Rahm

This isn’t the first time Rahm has paid for an opening-bogey mistake at a major. His aggressive driver often leaves him exposed when it misfires, and Royal Troon’s tight opening stretch magnified the damage. The glove shredding underscored his frustration-he carded a 5-over-par 76 and missed the cut by three strokes. For a player who thrives on control, the unraveling felt personal.

What comes next?

Rahm now heads to the FedEx Cup playoffs with his world ranking under pressure. A strong showing in the next two weeks is vital to secure a top seed and a clear path to the Tour Championship. His next start comes at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, where he’ll need to right the ship fast. The Open meltdown stings, but the grind of the PGA Tour waits for no one.

The bigger picture

Rival Xander Schauffele seized the early lead with a 6-under 64, while Rahm’s round exposed the fine margins between contention and collapse. The Spaniard’s aggressive style remains his greatest weapon-and his biggest risk. After a quiet spring, this setback forces him to regroup before the summer swing’s next big stage.