Jon Rahm made a disastrous start to his year's Masters Tournament, after the world No. 3 racked up a double bogey six on the opening hole of the day at Augusta National.
Rahm headed into the opening tournament of the week as one of the bookmakers' favourites, with the Spanish star announcing himself as one of the sport's top players in recent years. He headed to Georgia on the hunt for just a second major title, to accompany his 2021 US Open title.
His quest for a treasured green jacket got off to the worst possible start though, as an uncharacteristic four-putt saw Rahm kick off his tournament with a double bogey.
From tee to green the 28-year-old did everything he needed to do, after hitting his tee shot onto the fairway before landing his approach on the putting surface. His nightmare began though when he pulled out his putter.
The Spanish star saw a long birdie attempt fly past the hole, leaving plenty of work to secure a par. His second putt then also found itself trundling past the hole, before he sent it back in the same direction after missing his bogey attempt.
With a shrug of the shoulders he then eventually tidied things off, as he trudged off the first green with an opening six. Golf fans have become accustomed to Rahm's scintillating skill, so mishap at the first left everybody shocked.
Those in the commentary box could be heard calling: "Oh my goodness, we are not done yet," as his third putt for bogey creeped past the cup. "Wow, that is just shocking right there," the commentator then went on to add.
In typical Rahm fashion though, the Spaniard has roared back, and in some style too. He put his dreadful start behind him to birdie the par five second and the par four third to get himself back to level par through three.
The four-putt and double bogey soon became a distant memory, as he added a birdie at the par four seventh, before rolling in an eagle in the par five eighth to remarkably leave him three-under-par through his opening nine holes. As he turned for the back nine, Rahm found himself just two shots off early leader Viktor Hovland.
