Jon Rahm confronted a spectator after hearing a whistle during his backswing on the 11th tee in Thursday’s first round of the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush. The distraction pushed his drive into thick rough, leading to a bogey, and the two-time major winner turned toward the gallery, saying: “Really? Whistling? Great time. Right in my backswing. Very smart, whoever it was.” Rahm later told reporters the outburst helped him "let out any tension," adding that the shot came on what he considers the course’s hardest hole amid rain and wind. He said he did not believe the fan acted maliciously but acknowledged his own frustration in the moment. The Spaniard recovered to finish the round at one-under par, leaving him tied for 14th, three shots behind early co-leaders Jacob Skov Olesen, Haotong Li and Matt Fitzpatrick at four-under. Rahm, who joined LIV Golf in 2023, is seeking his third career major and first Claret Jug.