Fortinet Championship R1: Europe Ryder Cup hopeful Jon Rahm struggles through 18

Team Europe's Ryder Cup great hope Jon Rahm struggled on the first day of the Fortinet Championship. 

Rahm, who will peg it up for Padraig Harrington's Europe in Whistling Straits, carded a level par opening round of 72 in Napa. 

The Spaniard struggled to get anything going at the Silverado Resort and Spa North Course in California. 

His day was dogged by poor putting and a few unlucky breaks. 

The most eventful part of his round seemed to be when a spectator was unaware they were standing in line of his shot. 

He made the turn at 1-under but made two bogeys on the back to finish several shots behind early leader Chez Reavie. 

Reavie opened up his first round of the new PGA Tour season with a 65 (7-under-par). 

Back-to-back birdies have @MaxHoma23 in the co-lead. pic.twitter.com/BPKIu8KhHa

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 16, 2021

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He birdied four of his last five holes. 

Phil Mickelson, who will be one of Steve Stricker's vice captains in Wisconsin for the US, carded a strong opening round of 3-under-par. 

Max Homa, known for roasting players' swings on Twitter, started strong and trailed Reavie by two. 

Kiradech Aphibarnrat returns to the PGA Tour after winning back his Tour card at the back end of last season. 

The Thailand golfer made a sensational return to the European Tour with a strong four days at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. 

A chip-in to cap off three straight birdies at the turn and Si Woo Kim leads @FortinetChamp. pic.twitter.com/H8OQomHtTz

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 16, 2021

NEXT PAGE: APOLOGETIC SPECTATOR CAUGHT UNAWARE BY JON RAHM