Graeme McDowell is in the spotlight again, but this time not for a tour-defining shot or Ryder Cup heroics.
During the 45th Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, McDowell posted a tweet referencing Jon Rahm‘s “Spanish passport” in a jest aimed at Rahm‘s famously sharp short game.
His original post on X read:
“Security checking out Rahm’s Spanish passport on way to 9th tee…..yeah that figures.”
While fans initially saw it as part of McDowell’s playful rivalry banter, some interpreted it as insinuating racist tropes towards people of Hispanic descent.
With that ripple effect, McDowell felt compelled to explicitly state his intention.
The tweet quickly sparked backlash and misunderstanding online, pushing McDowell into reactive damage control.
The Edinburgh native wrote:
“I can’t believe that I have to explain that this is a joke which references Jon Rahm’s stereotypically Spanish awesome short game. It in no way, shape or form was meant to imply anything else.”
In response, McDowell sought to quell the controversy, clarifying that his comments were lighthearted and entirely about Rahm‘s wedge play, not meant to carry undertones of political or cultural commentary.
Rahm’s continuing golf success
Rahm, of course, is no stranger to stylized references to his Spanish heritage. He became the first Spaniard to win the US Open in 2021 and has built a career marked by distance tee shots and exceptional touch around the greens.
He also claimed his first LIV Golf title in the UK in 2024. But rarely has his national identity become the center of social media debate.
Across the opening matches at this year’s Ryder Cup, Rahm has delivered moments that feel threaded with history.
In his Saturday foursomes pairing with Tyrrell Hatton, Rahm extracted a 49-foot birdie from a bunker-side chip, his feet in the sand, ball perched above his knees, against Americans Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay.
The shot proved decisive in a 3&2 victory.
“I was honestly just trying to put it on the green. Hopefully, hit it somewhere online … it came out absolutely perfect,” he said, admitting a dose of luck but crediting rhythm and confidence.
Earlier, on Friday, he rescued his match from the weeds. From 45 yards deep in thigh-high grass, Rahm struck a recovery shot to 12 feet and secured par, key in turning the match their way in a 4&3 outcome.
Those dramatic swings, risk, artistry, and nerve are hallmarks often attributed to Seve Ballesteros‘ legacy in European golf.
But Rahm is not mimicking a legend; he is reshaping it. Already, commentary is framing him as a successor to Ballesteros’s mantle, someone who can propel Europe forward both by example and personality.
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