Jon Rahm shocked by one part of LIV Golf Chicago course which is unlike anything he’s ever seen before

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Two-time major winner Jon Rahm is off to a solid start after a testing first day’s play at LIV Golf’s Individual Championship in Chicago.

Bolingbrook Golf Club is the venue for this weekend’s event as Rahm battles Joaquin Niemann for the breakaway league’s individual title.

The Spaniard currently sits at one under after carding a steady 69. Niemann is one better off at two under.

Rahm likes the LIV Golf Chicago course but has admitted that one part of the setup is unlike anything he’s ever seen.

Jon Rahm can’t believe bouncy fairways at LIV Golf Chicago

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Firm conditions presented themselves on Friday, and Rahm was quick to highlight the hard fairways during his post-round press conference.

“I know you see one 8-under, but the rest of the scores are not that easy,” Rahm said during his post-round press conference.

Rahm then suggested the fairways were as bouncy as he’d ever seen before.

“With the fairways as bouncy as they are, I don’t recall ever playing fairways like this, short of being on a dry links golf course,” Rahm added. “It’s a tricky golf course, and with the wind added, it’s not the easiest to shoot low when you’re not feeling your best. But we’ve got two more days. Hopefully we’ll keep it going and get a little bit better every day.”

Joaquin Niemann holds slender advantage after round one at LIV Golf Chicago

Niemann bounced back from a late double bogey to shoot a two-under 68 and holds a slender lead over Rahm.

Currently, the Chilean is projected to overtake Rahm and finish the LIV Golf season with 205.62 points, six better than Rahm.

Niemann must finish ahead of Rahm to stand any chance of catching the 2023 Masters champion. For the Spaniard, the equation is quite simple: tie with the Chilean, and the title is his.

Before Friday’s first round, Rahm claimed he needed to win to prevent Niemann from beating him to the title. Despite this, Rahm is just one shot back and will be pleased with how the first day’s play went. As long as Niemann is within his sights, the 29-year-old will feel confident in his ability to make birdies if required.