BROOKLINE, Mass. – Another tee ball sailing left, Jon Rahm returned to his bag, prepared to play his fifth shot and reach instead for the 3-wood.
Rahm’s U.S. Open title defense appeared to be unraveling on the 17th tee, but more than 200 yards ahead he saw a welcome sight: a marshal, signaling the safe sign.
His first tee shot had been found – barely – only a few feet away from the junk.
“I didn’t really realize how close I came,” he said. “I fully know how lucky I got on that hole.” With a clear look at the green, Rahm wedged to 10 feet and narrowly missed the birdie try.