Club-throwing Jon Rahm gets conduct warning at British Open

SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Jon Rahm was given a code-of-conduct warning Friday in the British Open for throwing his club after a poor tee shot on the par-3 15th hole, the third conduct ruling in the majors this year.

The majors have been getting serious about conduct this year, collaborating on a policy but leaving each organization in charge of what it deems a serious offense.

Rahm, who shot 3-under 67 and was four shots out of the lead, hit his tee shot left of the green on the 15th hole and flung his iron forward and it bounced a few times.

The R&A said Rahm was issued the official warning “under The Open serious misconduct policy.” The policy typically is in play for the entire tournament, meaning if there is another incident, it would be a two-shot penalty. The third violation is disqualification.

Rahm said he didn't think about his outburst until he saw an R&A official on the 17th hole.

“When he was walking up to me, I knew exactly what it was for,” he said.

The USGA bypassed the warning and went straight to a two-shot penalty for Joaquin Niemann in the first round of the U.S. Open when on the sixth hole — his 15th of the round — he threw his wedge that traveled some 70 yards. With hardly any spectators, no one captured public video although officials would have had access from the ShotLink cameras.

Rahm was paired with Sergio Garcia in the final round of the Masters when Garcia hit a poor tee shot on the second hole and smashed his driver into the turf and against a bench that was holding a water cooler. Garcia was issued an official warning.

Rahm said before the tournament and on Friday after he finished his round that he was not about to change his nature.

“I don’t always love the word ’emotional.' I’m definitely more intense and passionate than a lot of the players out here, especially at work,” he said “It’s not like I’m going to ... if I try to alter who I am too much, it might cost me a little bit on the course. But certainly shouldn’t have moments like the one on 15. I get it.”

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Jon Rahm of Spain reacts after missing a putt on the 17th green during the first day of the British Open Golf championships at Royal Birkdale golf club, in Southport, England, Thursday, July 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Jon Rahm of Spain reacts after putting on the 6th green during the first day of the British Open Golf championships at Royal Birkdale golf club, in Southport, England, Thursday, July 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Guardians and Pittsburgh Pirates will play a doubleheader on Saturday after the opening game of the weekend series between the teams was postponed on Friday night because of poor air quality caused by wildfires.

The teams and umpire crew met at 4:30 p.m. EDT, when the air quality index was at 203, which is deemed to be very unhealthy and hazardous.

The first game of Saturday's split doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 1:10 p.m. EDT.

The second game is scheduled to start at 7:10 p.m. EDT, but rain is forecast for most of the evening.

Pittsburgh's Jared Jones (1-1) against Cleveland's Gavin Williams (10-4) — who were Friday's scheduled starters — will take the mound for Saturday's first game.

The Guardians will call up Logan Allen (0-0) to pitch Saturday's nightcap. It will be his second appearance of the season at the big league level. The Pirates are still determining their starter.

The first series after the All-Star break is critical for both teams. Cleveland (51-46) came into Friday tied with the Chicago White Sox atop the AL Central while Pittsburgh (50-47) was two games behind Miami for the final NL wild-card spot.

“To get 48 hours to really just be with your family, be with loved ones, do something other than go to the field, it is super powerful. So I hope our guys got a chance to turn off and also what it does is it gives people a small reset,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said.

The Guardians got a boost before the postponement as injured third baseman José Ramírez did some fielding work.

Ramírez had surgery on June 16 to remove the hook of the broken hamate bone in his left hand. He suffered the injury during the fifth inning on June 13 against Detroit when he fouled out on a popup.

When Ramírez was injured, it was estimated he would miss 5-7 weeks.

“He’s been working hard. I think I read the other day his speed is up from where it was at the beginning of the year with his running and he’s been simulating innings. So we’re not 100% sure he’ll need to go out (on a rehab assignment), but again, he’s going to know what he needs when he feels like he’s ready to go play,” Vogt said.

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A view from the press box level at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, Friday, July 17, 2026, after the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Guardians was postponed due to air quality concerns because of wildfire smoke from Canada and northern Minnesota. (AP Photo/Joe Reedy)