Jon Rahm's warning to Just Stop Oil protesters: "Don't catch me on a bad hole!"
Jon Rahm fires warning to Just Stop Oil protesters contemplating action at The Open.
Jon Rahm has fired a warning to Just Stop Oil protesters considering any action at the 151st Open Championship by declaring he hopes they don't catch him on a bad hole for their sake at Royal Liverpool this week.
Rahm, 28, is bidding to complete the third leg of a grand slam this week following wins at the 2021 US Open and 2023 Masters.
The newly-demoted World No.3 was quizzed by the media about potential Just Stop Oil protesters given they have disrupted a number of sporting events in the fields of football, rugby, cricket, tennis, snooker and horse racing in recent months.
Just Stop Oil protestors say they want the UK government to stop any new licensing or consents for gas, oil and coal extraction in the country.
Rahm was asked whether he would be able to keep a cool head should JSO protesters launch a load of orange powder in front of him.
"Well, I don't know, I do have a reputation, so I hope they don't catch me on a bad hole," said Rahm as he stifled a laugh.
"I really don't know. I've seen a couple of those things. I know they're going for an impact. I saw a couple of them intervening in Wimbledon, and obviously this looks like it could be a perfect spot.
"But we have nothing to do with it."
Rahm says he has not yet been informed by tournament organisers or the police about how to act should protesters go the other side of the ropes.
"I haven't seen anything, no," said Rahm.
"You don't want to disrupt play, which they're trying, so if it happens where I'm at, I'm obviously going to try to clean up as quickly as possible so we can resume play. That's all I can say.
"Being a golf course in a bigger area they might have more room to run around and do what they need to do, but what I can assure you is you don't want to get hit by a golf ball. Whether it's on purpose or even by accident, you don't want to be caught in the middle of that.
"We haven't been told. At least I haven't. We might start hearing it tomorrow or even on Thursday morning. I wouldn't know."
Rahm this week confirmed a new multi-year extension with Callaway Golf before announcing a new sponsorship deal with Santander.
The Spaniard is out with Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose for the first two rounds of the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.
