What happened between Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann on the 15th hole at LIV Golf Chicago as ‘interesting’ scenario emerges

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Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann are going head to head this weekend as LIV Golf’s Individual Championship is decided in Chicago.

Rahm likes the course at Bolingbrook Golf Club and carded a one-under 69 on Friday. Niemann is one shot better off and is currently projected to pip the Spaniard to the title.

Rahm admitted a win is required to fend off the Chilean, and the situation is finely poised ahead of the next 36 holes of action.

‘Interesting’ scenario emerges after Joaquin Niemann’s drive on the 15th at LIV Golf Chicago

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The duo played alongside each other on Friday, and an interesting situation emerged on the par-four 15th.

Niemann’s drive on the 342-yard hole went left and flirted with the hazard. Footage from Red Harrington on X then emerged, showing a conversation between Rahm and Niemann.

Eventually, it was agreed that the Spaniard would walk to the green and assess whether Niemann’s ball was playable instead of the 25-year-old playing a provisional, which is standard practice.

“Interesting situation playing out,” Harrington wrote. “@joaconiemann hit driver on 15, and it went left. Unsure if it’s in the hazard or not, the group agrees that @JonRahmOfficial and Adam Hayes will head down and let him know if it’s findable as Joaco waits back on the tee.”

The Chilean would end up making a double bogey before picking up a shot on the par-three 17th.

Joaquin Niemann should have hit a provisional at LIV Golf Chicago

This incident is laughable, to say the least.

Niemann should have hit a provisional, which is what any golfer at any level would have done. He would then have a ball in play and assess whether his initial tee shot was playable.

Instead, time was wasted as Rahm made his way to the green and assessed whether it was playable before Niemann would then hit an inevitable provisional.

Considering LIV consistently bang the pace of play drum, this isn’t a good look for the breakaway league. Of course, promoting a faster version of the game is good, but ensuring players stick to fundamental values should be of paramount importance.