Jon Rahm Lashes Out at British Open Fans for Whistling During His Swing: ‘Great Timing!’

Spain’s Jon Rahm on day one of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Picture date: Thursday July 17, 2025. 81016243 (Press Association via AP Images)

Professional golfer Jon Rahm let the crowd have it Thursday when he heard someone whistling while he was trying to take a swing.

Rahm on Thursday competed in the first day of 153rd Open Championship at the Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland. Immediately after taking his tee shot, Rahm turned to the people near him and made it clear he was frustrated with the noise of the crowd.

“Really?” Rahm said to the crowd. “Whistling right — great timing! Pretty good. Right on my backswing. Very smart, whoever it was.”

Rahm, one of the biggest names in golf, sent shockwaves in the sports world when it was announced in 2023 that he would be leaving the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf — PGA’s Saudi-backed rival. Although he primarily competes in LIV events, Rahm occasionally joins his PGA colleagues in major championships like The Masters and The Open Championship.

In LIV, Rahm’s also had issues with on-site distractions interrupting his swing. At a 2024 tournament in Nashville, Tennessee, Rahm swung his club and shot his head straight up to look at the overhead drones recording the action. He was clearly annoyed.

“Every tournament,” he said. “It’s fucking incredible! Right on my backswing! These fucking drones every time!”