LIV Golf Adelaide: Rahm's Rule Break Creates Confusion, Then a Stunner

Everythiiing.com | February 15, 2026

The LIV Golf Adelaide tournament witnessed a moment of sheer bewilderment and subsequent brilliance on Saturday, as Jon Rahm found himself at the center of a rules interpretation that left playing partner Bryson DeChambeau in disbelief. The dramatic sequence on the 18th hole of The Grange Golf Club not only unfolded with theatrical flair but culminated in a spectacular hole-out eagle, propelling Rahm into a tie for the lead heading into Sunday's final round.

A Familiar Scenario, An Unforeseen Outcome

The drama began on the 18th hole during the third round. For the second consecutive day, Rahm’s tee shot veered left, landing near the tee box of the adjacent 10th hole. On Friday, this errant drive had led to a favorable drop due to a temporary immovable obstruction (fencing), allowing him to pitch on and birdie. Saturday, however, saw a repeat of the errant tee shot, but with an added layer of intrigue.

DeChambeau's Bewilderment

As Rahm approached his ball, he conferred with a rules official. To the astonishment of DeChambeau, who was in the fairway for his own second shot, Rahm then picked up his ball and moved to a different spot, just left of the fairway and several yards ahead of DeChambeau's position. FS1 cameras caught DeChambeau mouthing a single, incredulous word: "What?" followed by an eye-roll.

"I didn’t know that’s what could happen, so that was most of what the shock was," DeChambeau admitted after the round. "It was like, what the heck, you can do that? I didn’t know that. But ultimately, I didn’t really know from my perspective that it was OK over there, so I was kind of shocked."

The confusion stemmed from Rahm’s understanding of the rules, specifically regarding relief from an unusual lie. Having experienced a similar situation on Friday and knowing the exact relief options available, Rahm strategically chose a drop that offered an advantageous angle to the pin.

Rahm Explains the 'What?' Moment

Rahm himself acknowledged the peculiar nature of the situation and his own play. "Well, I would say it might be the most impressive thing I’ve done all week," he commented, referring to pulling his tee shot that far left, hitting the cart path twice, and ending up in the vicinity of the 10th tee box – twice.

He continued, "Then luckily we get the TIO relief, obviously, I knew from yesterday, so I wasn’t too concerned, and knowing where I was going to drop, pretty good angle to that pin, as well. It was actually the best spot to be pretty much for every single pin for that distance." This strategic drop, informed by his previous day's experience and a keen understanding of the course's contours, set the stage for the ensuing magic.

The 'Grand Prize' Hole-Out

What followed was a moment that will undoubtedly be replayed for years to come. From his strategically chosen drop spot, Rahm executed a near-perfect shot that landed just short of the green and, astonishingly, rolled into the hole for an eagle two. This remarkable feat, coming immediately after DeChambeau made par, erased Rahm's two-stroke deficit and brought them level.

"It was a really good number, 62 meters into the wind, trying to land it about six, seven short. Obviously executed it pretty well, and the rest is what you all saw. I’m not really expecting to make it. I’m hoping to hit it close, but obviously ended up with the grand prize on that one."

Tied for the Lead, Drama Ensues

The LIV Golf Adelaide leaderboard now reads with Rahm and DeChambeau sharing the top spot, setting up a thrilling final-round showdown. The controversial yet ultimately brilliant play by Rahm has added an unexpected twist to the tournament, highlighting the intricate nature of golf rules and the remarkable ability of players to turn challenging situations into extraordinary moments.

As the golf world dissects the sequence of events, the focus now shifts to Sunday. Will Rahm's momentum carry him to victory, or can DeChambeau, who was left momentarily speechless by the unprecedented play, regroup and reclaim the lead? One thing is certain: LIV Golf Adelaide has already delivered a memorable chapter in its short history.

The LIV Golf leaderboard is now tighter than ever, with the drama on the 18th hole providing ample talking points heading into the final day of competition.