Oak Hill Country Club played hard on Friday at the PGA Championship, and the frustration got to both Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, as evidenced by some hot-mic moments caught during the broadcast.
First up was Hatton, whose ball landed on the green of the 201-yard par-3 3rd hole — his 12th of the day — and bounced through into the rough.
“F—— s— hole,” he barked, which was caught on his featured group stream on ESPN+. On-course reporter Wesley Bryan added that Hatton was still a little hot walking off the tee and to the green.
Hours later it was Rahm’s turn, this time playing the 248-yard par-3 11th, and he sent a low cut toward the green. “Looks like another quality shot,” said one broadcaster, as the ball made its way down from its apex.
Rahm’s ball landed on the middle of the green and, like Hatton’s, went through it. The ball just barely trickled through the fringe and into the thick stuff beyond it.
“Ahhh, great hole, PGA,” he said.” Great f——- hole.”
So, why were they so upset? It probably has something to do with the firmness of the greens, which one of the streams alluded to. Essentially, if these pros have to hit long irons, driving irons or hybrids into par-3s, they’d like the greens to be a little more receptive so they can hold a ball. Both pins were also tucked, which made it hard to attack them. Were these holes unfair, or were these two specific players simply running a little hot? Hard to say, but they both saved par, so that at least lowered their blood pressure a little.
The 3rd was tied for the fifth-hardest hole on Friday, and the 11th was the seventh-hardest.
Both Rahm and Hatton shot 68 in the second round, which helped them stay for the weekend after they struggled Thursday. Rahm went 76-68 and is at four over, and Hatton went 77-68 and is five over.
There’s a three-way tie for first between Viktor Hovland, Corey Conners and Scottie Scheffler. They are at five under.
