Justin Thomas and Jon Rahm may have started the PGA Championship at Aronimink on similar footing—both carding one-under 69 to sit tied for 15th, just two shots behind a crowded leaderboard of seven—but it's their on-course behavior that has everyone talking as day two gets underway.

Thomas was caught on camera slamming his club into the turf in frustration during his opening round, while Rahm had to issue an apology after accidentally hitting a volunteer with grass during a club swing. These incidents come under the spotlight as the PGA Tour enforces a new code of conduct aimed at curbing inappropriate behavior on the course.

Golf Channel's Rex Hoggard weighed in on the controversy during the "Golf Channel Podcast with Rex & Lav," suggesting that punishment isn't always the answer. "In the case of Justin Thomas, I think that's a great example—and no, I don't even think Jon Rahm should be punished," Hoggard said. "JT threw the club out of his hand into the ground; I don't think that should have been a violation. Sometimes you get frustrated—anybody who has played the game of golf understands that. I don't like the idea that in these particular events, where so much is riding on the outcome, guys now have to worry about the littlest things."

He wasn't alone in that sentiment. Rory McIlroy also let his emotions get the better of him at Aronimink, slamming his club into the ground during a frustrating round that ended with a four-over 74. Meanwhile, co-host Ryan Lavner pointed to a more extreme example from last month's Masters, where Sergio Garcia completely lost his temper, smashing his driver into a water cooler—a move that had fans calling for a ban from Augusta National.

"I am completely with you," Lavner responded to Hoggard. "The pressure, the stakes, and the emotions are high. I don't want to see a club slam suddenly result in a warning. Keep in mind these are rolling penalties—so if you receive a warning in the opening round and then throw a tantrum on Saturday, you're docked two shots. I don't like that."

For golf fans and players alike, the debate highlights a fine line between passion and penalty. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on how the Tour handles these emotional outbursts—and whether the new code of conduct will change the way the game's biggest stars express themselves under pressure.