Ryder Cup Day One Drama: Rahm’s Ball Move Stirs Fan Backlash

The 45th Ryder Cup teed off on Friday with the US team desperate to reclaim the crown from Europe. Fans were expecting plenty of drama, and there has been no disappointment so far, with United States fans engaged in an intense rules dispute over an alleged ball movement involving Jon Rahm just minutes into the morning foursomes.

Hatton Steps On Branch After Rahm Tee Shot Lands In Heavy Rough

The USA erupted in an uproar during the seventh hole of a Ryder Cup match involving Jon Rahm and a fallen branch. Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm faced off against Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas at Bethpage Black, and the Americans went 1-up early. However, things went awry at the seventh when Rahm hit his tee shot into the trees on the right-hand side, and his ball lodged in heavy rough near a branch.

There was no issue initially, but things took a dramatic turn when Hatton stepped on a branch and bumped another one, and it appeared the ball moved forward a bit before returning to its initial position. The officials raced to the scene quickly to ascertain if Hatton’s contact with the branch had moved Rahm’s ball, though nobody saw it move during play.

At the end of it all, the Ryder Cup officials determined that the ball didn’t move. It would have been a rules violation for Rahm and Hatton had the officials determined otherwise, but it appeared the pair managed to get away with one. Hatton sized it up and hit onto the green from that tricky lie, and Europe made par. Justin Thomas missed a 7-footer to tie, wiping out America’s 1-up lead, and Rahm and Hatton sealed an impressive opening-day victory.

USA Fans Disagree With Ryder Cup Officials Over Verdic

USA fans didn’t take lightly to this despite the Ryder Cup officials ruling that the ball didn’t move. Many fans insisted the ball moved and demanded a penalty for the European pair.

“Did the ball move when Hatton stepped on the branch? Should be a penalty,” a fan said.

“That ball moved and should have been a one-stroke penalty,” another fan said.

Other fans couldn’t hide their frustrations after Rahm and Hatton appeared to get away without a penalty. “Not being able to move that branch from in front of the ball without penalty is such a stupid rule,” a third fan said.

“Can we move this stick without the ball wiggling a quarter inch?” a fan asked, before another appeared to confirm that the ball moved: “Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm’s ball moved clear as day.”

“We’re gonna act like that ball didn’t just move,” another fan chipped in.

The incident with Rahm’s ball added early fuel to the Ryder Cup drama. The ruling has already split fans, and they will remember this year’s contest as much for its controversies as for the golf.