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'Baffling decision': Golfer blows $2.8 million with brutal caddie blunder

Jon Rahm left commentators in shock during the final round of the Players Championship when he went against the advice of his caddie and blew his shot at the $3.1 million first prize.

The overnight leader eventually finished five shots behind eventual winner Rory McIlroy, and his demise largely stemmed from a conversation with his caddie on the par-5 11th hole.

Rahm was tied for the lead when his tee shot found the bunker left of the fairway.

The choice he made next largely ended his title chances.

Rahm wanted to play a bold hook shot over the water to the green, but caddie Adam Hayes tried to talk him into laying up with a wedge down the right side of the fairway and in front of the water.

After a lengthy discussion, Hayes’ veto was overruled, as Rahm attempted the aggressive option and found the water, leading to a very costly bogey.

“I think this will go down in history as the most baffling decision ever struck here at this event,” commentator Brandel Chamblee said.

Jon Rahm and his caddie. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Jon Rahm and his caddie. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Rahm went on to par the 12th and played the final four holes 3-over, signing off for a 4-over 76 that left him in a tie for 12th.

He collected $356,000 for his troubles, a far cry from McIlroy’s $3.1 million for winning.

“Adam was trying to convince me to go right,” Rahm said. “When I first got to the ball, I was really sure I could do it.

“If you give me 10 balls, besides that one, I’ll hit the other nine on land. Unfortunately, I got a little bit of doubt in me.”

Rahm admitted the gravity of his blunder on No. 11.

“I didn’t hit my best shot but it wasn’t that far off, so I knew I could pull it off,” Rahm said.

“I guess it’s easy to think of that as the point that I lost the tournament, but I could have hit a good drive on 12.”