Jon Rahm's viral video 'putting contest' comments disappointing, but hardly earth-shattering

So Jon Rahm, the No. 1 player in professional golf, was caught on a viral video tossing a couple of profanities at the course setup of The American Express, and finished by calling the setup “a putting contest.”

In other words, a frustrated athlete lashed out in a moment. Not exactly earth-shattering news.

But because it is Rahm, the U.S. Open champion, and because it is The American Express, a tournament Rahm won in 2018, the viral moment takes on a life of its own.

In the video, Rahm walks off a green on the Nicklaus Course at PGA West during Friday's second round and drops a few expletives before calling the event a “putting contest week.”

So just how big of a faux paus was this by Rahm? (Note: the video below contains profanity)

Consider these points:

• The disappointment is that Rahm has played well in The American Express in the past under the same basic course setups. That setup has to accommodate amateur golfers for the first three days, so the pins tend to be in the middle of greens on flatter areas. Yes, it becomes a putting contest, but the course setup is tougher on the pros-only fourth day. As a past champion, Rahm has to know that.

• Rahm is now at the end of a long line of professionals who have criticized courses, either the conditions or the setup. Tournament officials this week are at least happy Rahm’s criticism was of the setup, determined by the PGA Tour, and not the conditions. Remember, Phil Mickelson has spent the last decade openly criticizing the USGA for its course setups and condition of U.S. Open courses, and Mickelson has six runner-up finishes in that major championship. A pro saying something negative about a course is nothing new.

• The PGA Tour hates this. They don’t want pros to say anything negative about a course or a tournament, and that’s understandable. The tour knows that every pro is not in love with every course or every event. But they want the pros to keep that to themselves as much as possible. So Rahm’s comments became an uncomfortable moment for the tour, but nothing that will even provoke a fine in all likelihood.

• Athletes remain human, after all. Rahm started Sunday’s final round five shots off the lead at 13-under par and a bit better in the statistic strokes gained, putting than the rest of the field. But for the man who drained big putts to win the U.S. Open last June in San Diego, he hasn’t made as many putts as he might like. Players can lash out at the wind, rain, the crowd noise, the lack of crowd noise. Rahm was upset with his play or his scoring, and he let it be known at the wrong moment. And remember, Rahm was criticized early in his career for his temper, something he has controlled well in climbing to No. 1.

So Rahm said what he said, and nothing much will come of it beyond the hot takes on social media that mostly mean nothing.

Instead, the test will be the 2023 American Express. If Rahm returns to the field in La Quinta next year, all will be forgiven.

Larry Bohannan is The Desert Sun golf writer, he can be reached at larry.bohannan@desertsun.com or (760) 778-4633. Follow him on Facebook or on Twitter at @larry_Bohannan. Support local journalism. Subscribe to The Desert Sun.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: American Express: Jon Rahm's comments on tournament cause a stir