Social Spotlight: How the internet reacted to the Jon Rahm ruling
Jon Rahm had a record-breaking Sunday at Portstewart as he claimed the Irish Open title by six shots, but, it wasn’t his victory that the golfing world was left discussing.
After an incident on the 6th green in which the 22-year-old failed to replace his ball in the exact spot he marked it after moving out of the way of playing partner Daniel Im’s putting line Rahm received no penalty.
And, fans and players alike reacted to the incident:
@EuropeanTour Nice enforcement of the rules of golf.
— Jimmy Walker (@JimmyWalkerPGA) July 9, 2017
So he replaced the ball back in an incorrect position and NO PENALTY.
Common sense may have prevailed yet Rules are Rules! . . 1 stroke
— GREENKEEPER TIPS (@GreenkeeperTips) July 9, 2017
Strange when the exercising of a little discretion and common sense upsets people. It's time common sense ruled.
— John Haynes (@jghaynes) July 9, 2017
Makes the decision against Lexi even more pathetic
— Carney (@therealcarney) July 9, 2017
Joke. Will steal a Major from Lexi Thompson but afraid to take on any of the 'big guns'. No consistency.
— Shinji Doherty (@ShinjiDoherty) July 9, 2017
The fact 'golf' is still talking about the few millimetres that make no difference is 'golfs' problem.
— Chris Kirby (@chriskirby4) July 9, 2017
Jon Rahm might be a sociopath. And I love it.
— Tron Carter (@TronCarterNLU) July 9, 2017
I don't think Jon Rahm intentionally placed his ball in the wrong spot, but he clearly did. He should have been penalized.
— J.L. Rayburn (@Hobble24) July 10, 2017
So Jon Rahm unknowingly puts his ball in the wrong spot & doesn't get penalized, but when @Lexi did it, she was penalized? ???
— Justįn Hęnsłęy (@justinhensley15) July 9, 2017
So Jon Rahm gets no penalty for not replacing his ball on the green correctly yet Lexi Thompson does the same and loses a major? #usga
— Matthew Pope (@PinHighPope) July 9, 2017
@LPGA rules seem to not apply to European tour or Jon Rahm for misplacing his ball on 6th hole, yet Lexi got nailed 4 shots!
— Wendy Wiltshire (@WMWiltshire) July 9, 2017
Wonder what Lexi Thompson thinks about ruling decision not to penalize Jon Rahm for marking his ball in a different position. #DDFIrishOpen
— Jason Krump (@JasonKrump) July 9, 2017
Two eagles – one hole out, rules trouble, interesting day for Jon Rahm! Rules shouldn't detract from outstanding performance #DDFIrishOpen
— David Gorman (@DavidGorman20) July 9, 2017
Someone ACTUALLY rang up about the Jon Rahm incident on the 6th… ? pic.twitter.com/3WWkFjSVaN
— National Club Golfer (@NCGmagazine) July 9, 2017
@DDFIrishOpen why hasn't Jon Rahm received a penalty? No consistency in golf. Joke.
— Carl Evans (@17carlevans) July 9, 2017
What's the difference between what Jon Rahm just did compared to Lexi Thompson? She got a 2 shot penalty, him none. No consistency!
— Maple23 (@map1e23) July 9, 2017
Absolute joke that Jon Rahm hasn't received a penalty @EuropeanTour
— Carl Evans (@17carlevans) July 9, 2017
Jon Rahm playing unbelievable golf and now we're talking about marking his ball on a 2 foot gimme. C'mon.
— Robert Shiekh (@Shiekhers) July 9, 2017
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Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.