'Love it': Rival's 'class' act with Phil Mickelson during wild scenes
US PGA winner Phil Mickelson couldn't escape the crowd as fans swamped the 50-year-old after his historic sixth major, but one rival and friend charged through the scene to congratulate him amid the 'madness'.
The sporting world reacted in disbelief at the scenes after Mickelson's historic triumph at the 103rd US PGA Championship.
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Fans crowded the 50-year-old, who became the oldest major winner ever, in scenes heralded as 'absolute madness' following so much sport being played around the world with no crowds due to Covid-19.
But one friend of Mickelson's, and his golf rival, World No.3 Jon Rahm worked his way to the green with the crowd to watch on after finishing tied 8th.
Rahm could be seen on the edge - three hours after he finish - as Mickelson sunk the winning shot.
The Spaniard then charged through the chaotic pack of fans and was captured giving an emotional Mickelson a big hug as fans crowded the champion.
Rahm is a good friend of Mickelson and the pair practiced together ahead of the 103rd US PGA Championship last Monday.
Fans labelled the moment a 'class' act from the pair.
Jon Rahm in casual streetwear and grinning like a child says it all
— Pin (@RustySpigot27) May 23, 2021
You get your bottom dollar I got emotional when I saw Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson hug after the winning putt. #SunDevil4lLife
— Noah Friedman (@NoahFriedman_) May 23, 2021
Rahm being one of the first people to congratulate Phil after a Astonishing win!
Class from both 👏 #PGAChamp— Tracking Jon Rahm (@TrackingRahm) May 23, 2021
Rahm's dig at Mickelson before win
Rahm may have been feeling slightly guilty after taking a light-hearted dig at his friend, and rival, during the US PGA Championship.
"It’s difficult, man,” Rahm said after Round 1, which Mickelson had a lead.
“I mean, technically I would say starting on 1 might be a little easier because you start with four holes into the wind that you can manage and then you get 5 through 13 downwind where you can maybe get some scores going, right.
“At the same time, you also finish with five really, really difficult holes, but by that point you might have even gotten some confidence in the swing and you can finish it strong.
"Hey, Phil shot 4-under on the back nine so anything is possible.”
Mickelson responded to the light-hearted jab and said: "Don't poke the bear."
But the light-hearted dig didn't stop Rahm hoping for Mickelson to pull through ahead of the final round.
Following a fiery press conference, when Rahm was sitting in 40th and felt he should have been on the leaderboard, the World No.3 offered a blunt answer to the conditions.
He then stormed off.
But he returned the following day to apologise for taking out his frustration on the media.
He also put down his reversal in form and spirit to his friend Mickelson.
“Phil’s enthusiasm is what keeps him going; at his age, has the same enthusiasm I have at 26, and he’s been doing this a very long time,” Rahm said.
“For him to keep that willingness to play and compete and practice, even when he hasn’t been working, it’s truly admirable, so I hope he gets it done I hope he gets his win. I hope he gets to put that stamp in history that would not be beaten in a very long time.”
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