Jon Rahm blamed a hovering drone for a wayward tee shot at LIV Golf Nashville, caught swearing on a hot mic before bouncing back from the water hazard to tie with Lee Westwood at 12-under.

Jon Rahm wasn't just battling the course during the LIV Golf Nashville event; he was also waging war against the wonders of modern technology. Irate about a buzzing drone that he claimed sabotaged his sixth-hole tee shot—sending it into an inconveniently placed water hazard—Rahm's frustration was caught on a hot mic in an array of colorful language. Despite this mid-round disruption, the golfer managed to rally impressively, birdying his way back to finish tied with Lee Westwood at 12-under, though still trailing his teammate Tyrrell Hatton by six strokes.

Standing on the sixth tee box, Jon Rahm stared down the fairway with steely determination. The calm before the swing, however, was abruptly shattered by the persistent buzz of a drone overhead. It wasn't just any drone; for Rahm, it was a technologically infused albatross that seemed hell-bent on disrupting his day. As he swung, his concentration faltered, and his ball took an unintended plunge into the watery depths, an error he did not take lightly.

A hot mic captured Rahm’s ensuing frustration in vivid detail, with words that would make even the most seasoned sailor blush. His ire was not solely self-directed; it was aimed squarely at the mechanical menace above. 'Those damn drones!' he was heard muttering, though his language was a tad more colorful.

Before this mishap, Rahm was comfortably within two shots of the tournament leader. The stray shot, however, saw him stumble with a bogey—or potentially a double-bogey, as the scorecard grimly noted. Yet, like the professional he is, Rahm showed resilience and a robust sense of recovery. Shaking off the drone-induced debacle, he birdied several subsequent holes, clawing his way back into contention.

Sealing his round with a tie at 12-under, Rahm found himself level with Lee Westwood. However, his spirited play wasn't quite enough to catch his teammate, Tyrrell Hatton, who maintained an 18-under lead. While it wasn't the victory Rahm had been hoping for, it certainly showcased his tenacity and skill—though one can't help but wonder if a few less drones might have made the difference!

The week had already been a whirlwind for Rahm. Just a month earlier, he was forced to withdraw from the U.S. Open due to a pesky foot infection. And his move to LIV Golf from the PGA Tour in December was still fresh in the minds of fans and critics alike. It’s been a season of ups and downs, punctuated by less-than-stellar performances at the Masters and PGA Championship.

Rahm isn’t the only player feeling the heat—or hearing the buzz—of modern technology. His teammate, Tyrrell Hatton, along with several other competitors, also voiced their irritation during the tournament. It seems the future, complete with its flying cameras, has its share of detractors on the green.

Despite the distractions, Rahm’s ability to regain focus and claw his way back up the leaderboard speaks to his relentless drive. While the hovering hubbub might have thrown him off temporarily, his response was a showcase of grit. Perhaps the drones got the better of him this time, but if his bounce-back performance is any indicator, they'll have to up their game to truly throw him off course in the future.