x
Skip to main content
Golf Logo
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
‘I know who it was’: Two kids stole Jon Rahm’s ball at the U.S. Open and he *still* made birdie
SHARE
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Golf Logo
  • News
    • Latest
      • News
      • Features
      • Shows
      • PGA Tour Schedule
    • Series
      • Tour Confidential
      • Monday Finish
      • Hot Mic
      • Rogers Report
    • Shows
      • The Scoop
      • Subpar
      • Seen & Heard
  • Instruction
    • Game Improvement
      • Driving
      • Approach Shots
      • Bunker Shots
      • Short Game
      • Putting
      • Rules
      • Fitness
    • Series
      • Top 100 Teachers
      • Rules Guy
      • The Etiquetteist
    • Shows
      • Warming Up
      • Play Smart
      • Short Game Chef
      • Pros Teaching Joes
  • Gear
    • Clubs
      • Drivers
      • Irons
      • Hybrids
      • Fairway Woods
      • Wedges
      • Putters
    • Other Gear
      • Balls
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • Golf Accessories
    • Series
      • ClubTest
      • Winner’s Bag
    • Shows
      • Fully Equipped
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Travel
      • Course Finder
      • Courses
      • Resorts
    • Lifestyle
      • Accessories
      • Celebrities
      • Food
      • Style
      • Betting Advice
    • Shows
      • Super Secrets
      • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Shop
      • Clubs
      • Shafts
      • Training Aids
      • Balls
      • Bags
      • Technology
      • Apparel
      • Accessories
      • Our Picks
      • Shop All
    • Collections
      • The GOLF Collection
      • The Birdie Juice Collection
      • The Fully Equipped Collection
      • Shop All
  • Newsletters
    • Sign Up for GOLF’s Newsletters
      • Hot Mic
      • Monday Finish
      • Play Smart
      • Our Picks
      • Top Stories
      • Sign Up for All
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Features
    • Shows
    • PGA Tour Schedule
  • Instruction
    • All Instruction
    • Driving
    • Approach Shots
    • Bunker Shots
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Rules
    • Fitness
  • Gear
    • All Gear
    • Drivers
    • Irons
    • Hybrids
    • Fairway Woods
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Balls
    • Shoes
    • Apparel
    • Golf Accessories
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • All Travel
    • All Lifestyle
    • Course Finder
    • Courses
    • Resorts
    • Accessories
    • Celebrities
    • Food
    • Style
    • Betting Advice
  • Series
    • Tour Confidential
    • Monday Finish
    • Hot Mic
    • Rogers Report
    • Rules Guy
    • The Etiquetteist
    • ClubTest
    • Winner’s Bag
  • Shows
    • The Scoop
    • Subpar
    • Seen & Heard
    • Warming Up
    • Play Smart
    • Short Game Chef
    • Pros Teaching Joes
    • Fully Equipped
    • Super Secrets
    • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Clubs
    • Shafts
    • Training Aids
    • Balls
    • Bags
    • Technology
    • Apparel
    • Accessories
    • The GOLF Collection
    • The Birdie Juice Collection
    • The Fully Equipped Collection
  • Newsletters
    • Hot Mic
    • Monday Finish
    • Play Smart
    • Top Stories
    • Our Picks
    • Sign Up for All
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
InsideGolf

Over $140 of value - Just $39.99

InsideGOLF
News

‘I know who it was’: Two kids stole Jon Rahm’s ball at the U.S. Open and he *still* made birdie

By: Jessica Marksbury
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Follow on Instagram
June 16, 2022
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
jon rahm at u.s. open

Jon Rahm hits his second shot on the 18th hole during the first round of the 2022 U.S. Open.

Getty Images

Defending U.S. Open champ Jon Rahm is off to a good start at The Country Club, posting an opening round of one-under 69 — two shots shy of the early U.S. Open lead.

But in addition to the heavy rough and fast greens, Rahm had to contend with yet another adversary in Brookline: mischievous kids.

Rahm was even par for the day when he teed it up on the 18th hole — a 444-yard par-4. The slight dogleg-left was playing as the course’s 13th-toughest hole of the day. A player with Rahm’s length off the tee should have no problem getting on the green in regulation with a short iron.

News
jon rahm talks
Jon Rahm’s impassioned defense of the PGA Tour is must-read material
By: Zephyr Melton

But Rahm’s tee shot was wayward. “Fore left!” he shouted immediately, raising his left arm.

The ball sailed into the championship’s tents, which are considered as “TIO” (Temporary Immovable Obstructions), meaning Rahm would get a free drop. But as he approached the area to find his ball, a couple of souvenir-seeking youngsters had beat him to it.

“Somebody — I’m pretty sure I know who it was. I recognized the two kids that were running the opposite way with a smile on their face,” Rahm said with a laugh after his round. “I am 100 percent sure I saw the two kids that stole [the ball].”

Luckily for Rahm, someone had already spotted where his ball originally landed before the young’uns ran off with it, so he knew exactly where it had settled.

Because the grandstand is considered TIO meant Rahm could drop on the right side — a whopping 78 feet from where his ball had landed, according to the USGA’s shot tracker. He was in heavy rough, but just a short-iron away from the hole.

“After the free relief, I had 135 yards to the pin, in an area where the rough wasn’t that thick,” Rahm said. “I don’t think they expected anybody to hit it there or be around there, so I was able to drop it in an area that was a little downgrain.”

His second swing found the right edge of the green, leaving him 21 feet from the hole.

Rahm then hit a putt with a perfect read and perfect speed, and he drained the birdie — his fourth of the day — to get into red numbers for the first round.

Rahm tees off for Round 2 at 1:03 p.m. ET Friday alongside Collin Morikawa and James Piot.

Latest In News

8 minutes ago

Brooks Koepka heckled by fan at PGA, and Koepka asks him to confront him

1 hour ago

2025 PGA Championship Sunday tee times: Round 4 pairings

1 hour ago

Rory McIlroy wasn’t happy PGA start was delayed. Then came 2 colorful words 

6 hours ago

Shane Lowry calls out ‘ESPN guy’ for interfering before outburst at PGA Championship

Golf.com Editor

As a four-year member of Columbia’s inaugural class of female varsity golfers, Jessica can out-birdie everyone on the masthead. She can out-hustle them in the office, too, where she’s primarily responsible for producing both print and online features, and overseeing major special projects, such as GOLF’s inaugural Style Is­sue, which debuted in February 2018. Her origi­nal interview series, “A Round With,” debuted in November of 2015, and appeared in both in the magazine and in video form on GOLF.com.

  • Author Twitter Account
  • Author Instagram Account

Related Articles

News
Joaquin Niemann hits a shot during the final round of LIV Adelaide.

Joaquin Niemann's LIV Adelaide win was important for 1 major reason

By: Josh Schrock
News
An Aerial view of Oakmont Country Club

2025 U.S. Open qualifying sites, dates: Every local and final qualifying location

By: Josh Sens
News
Bryson DeChambeau of the United States poses with the trophy after winning the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort on June 16, 2024 in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

U.S. Open adds LIV Golf exemption. Will the other majors follow suit?

By: Josh Schrock
News
bryson dechambeau screams at the u.s. open

A legendary U.S. Open changed 2 superstars' career trajectories

By: James Colgan
Features
Tiger Woods from the United States with caddie Steve Williams on the tee during the 100th United States Open golf tournament on 17th June 2000 at the Pebble Beach

‘Never been that nervous’: Tiger Woods’ ex-caddie revisits his biggest gaffe

By: Kevin Cook
News
PGA Tour Champions golfer Rocco Mediate reacts on the 18th hole after winning the 2024 Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS event at Timuquana Country Club.

'100 percent serious': U.S. Open legend offers major hot take

By: Kevin Cunningham
Apparel
Shop Bryson DeChambeau's U.S. Open look

Shop Bryson DeChambeau's U.S. Open-winning apparel from Stitch Golf

By: Jessica Marksbury
News
Rory McIlroy

‘I’m not perfect’: Analyst opens up after roasted Rory McIlroy read

By: Nick Piastowski
News
Rory McIlroy, Harry Diamond

Should Rory McIlroy’s caddie have 'stepped in' at U.S. Open? Analyst says yes

By: Nick Piastowski
Sign up for GOLF's Newsletters
Get the latest news, the hottest instruction tips, new product releases, golf media insider reports and more delivered directly to your inbox. Choose your favorites now.
Sign Up
Categories
  • News
  • Instruction
  • Gear
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
Services
  • Masthead
  • GOLF Media Kit
  • GOLF Magazine Customer Service
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Opt-out of Ads/Sharing
  • Your Privacy Choices
Social
  • facebook
  • x
  • instagram
  • youtube
Membership
InsideGOLF Logo
More than $140 Value for JUST $39.99

INCLUDES 12 SRIXON Z-STAR XV GOLF BALLS, 1 YR OF GOLF MAGAZINE, $20 FAIRWAY JOCKEY CREDIT - AND MUCH MORE!

LEARN MORE

© 2025 EB Golf Media LLC. An 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. All Rights Reserved. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Go to mobile version