How a beer put Jon Rahm off his shot at Abu Dhabi Championship
Jon Rahm was put off by the shadow of a spectator's beer on the 17th at Yas Links during his third round.
Jon Rahm was involved in a bizarre incident during the third round of the Abu Dhabi Championship on Saturday as a spectator’s beer cast a shadow which appeared to distract the Spaniard.
Rahm will no doubt be looking to toast victory at the Abu Dhabi Championship with an ice-cold beer on Sunday night, but he was less keen in having one get in his way during his round.
As he was getting set to take his tee shot at the par-3 17th hole on Saturday, a beer shadow appeared at the exact spot his ball was sitting.
“is that the beer,” enquired Rahm to the visibly shocked fan, before he stated that “as long as your still, it’s all good” amid laughter from the crowd.
It was a rare humorous moment during a round and while Rahm is no stranger to showing his emotions on the golf course, it was certainly an unusual reason for a disruption on the course.
Despite that incident, Rahm still managed close out his round with successive pars to take a one-shot lead into the final round of the tournament.
Jon Rahm takes narrow lead into the final round of the Abu Dhabi Championship
The two-time major champion shot a 66 on Saturday to reach 18-under, enough to see him take a one-shot lead into the final round.
Two birdies and a bogey on his front nine was hardly much to write home about, but Rahm caught fire between holes 10 and 15.
Indeed, he birdied 10, 12 and 15, while the Spaniard recorded an eagle on the par-5 11th hole and he was delighted with his efforts.
“Fantastic round,” admitted Rahm. “Wishing I would have hit a couple better putts in the last two holes, right, just misread those two putts. But overall, obviously very good golf."
Very good is an understatement, with his display showing that Rahm is still one of the finest players in the world when at his best.
He wasn’t won the European circuit since the 2022 DP World Tour Championship, however and Rahm is looking to end that streak tomorrow.
"It would be amazing. It's been a good year so far. But to win again on the DP World Tour would be special."
Rahm is being chased by Tyrrell Hatton, Francesco Laporta and Rory McIlroy at Yas Links. The former two remain one stroke behind the Spaniard, while McIlroy trails by two strokes.
Elsewhere, Adam Scott and Matthew Jordan sit at 15-under par, with David Puig a stroke further back.
Rahm will be looking to finish his week on a high. If so, there will be plenty of beers involved in the celebrations.
