The 29-year-old golf sensation was all set to join the star-studded lineup of LIV Golfers at the event, but a pesky injury’s thrown a wrench in those plans.
What’s the scoop? Well, it turns out Rahm’s nursing a nasty cut on his left foot that’s decided to throw a bit of a temper tantrum and get infected. Ouch. This setback forced him to bow out of last week’s LIV Golf event in Houston, and now there’s some serious doubt swirling around his availability for the upcoming U.S. Open.
For a golfer of Rahm’s caliber, this injury couldn’t have come at a worse time. With the U.S. Open looming large on the horizon, missing out on the action would be a tough pill to swallow. But hey, the golf world’s holding its breath, waiting for updates on Rahm’s foot and crossing their fingers that he’ll be back in action swinging those clubs like the pro he is.
Is Jon Rahm playing in the U.S. Open?
BREAKING NEWS: 2x Major Champion Jon Rahm has decided to withdraw from the US Open at Pinehurst, due to an infected sore located between the little toe and the next toe on his left foot, sources close to Rahm tell me.
I'm told the infection is healing with antibiotic treatment,…— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) June 11, 2024
Looks like Jon Rahm’s foot injury has dealt a heavy blow to his U.S. Open aspirations. According to ESPN’s Marty Smith, Rahm has officially withdrawn from the tournament due to an infection on his left foot, putting a damper on his chances of teeing off at Pinehurst.
During a news conference on Tuesday, Rahm remained uncertain about his status for the event, emphasizing that he’s doing everything he can to speed up his recovery. Sporting a unique ensemble featuring a golf shoe on his right foot and a flip-flop with a toe separator on his injured left foot, Rahm’s goal was simple: keep the foot dry and facilitate a faster healing process.
But Rahm’s not sugarcoating the situation. He acknowledged the limitations of the human body, expressing his frustration at the slow pace of recovery. Despite ongoing antibiotic treatment and signs of improvement in the infection, Rahm remains in pain, making it clear that he won’t compete in a tournament unless he’s confident in his ability to perform at his best.
The injury itself—a cut between his left pinkie toe and the fourth toe—remains a mystery to Rahm, who described it as “a concern” given the discomfort and uncertainty surrounding his participation in the U.S. Open. While the infection is under control, Rahm still grapples with swelling and pain, posing significant challenges to his mobility and swing mechanics on the demanding Pinehurst course.
With each step proving to be a literal and metaphorical hurdle for Rahm, it’s evident that his road to recovery is far from smooth. As golf enthusiasts eagerly await updates on his condition, Rahm’s U.S. Open journey hangs in the balance, reminding us that even the most seasoned pros aren’t immune to the unpredictable twists of fate on the fairways.
Why did Jon Rahm withdraw from LIV Golf Houston?
Rahm’s foot injury certainly threw a curveball during the LIV Golf Houston event, forcing him to withdraw during the second round. Despite initially attempting to soldier on after a numbing shot, Rahm quickly found himself battling pain just a couple of holes into the round.
“It was supposed to last the whole round, and by my second hole I was in pain already,” Rahm recounted, shedding light on the futile attempt to play through the discomfort.
While Rahm could have toughed it out and completed the round, he ultimately opted for a strategic retreat, prioritizing his long-term health over immediate results. Reflecting on his decision to withdraw, Rahm acknowledged that pushing through the pain could have risked exacerbating his injury and compromising his performance on the course.
“Could I have dragged myself out there and posted some kind of a score? Yeah,” Rahm admitted. “But it was getting to a point where I wasn’t making the swings I wanted to make, and I could have hurt other parts of my swing just because of the pain.”
Now, Rahm faces a race against time to nurse himself back to full strength ahead of his scheduled tee-off at the U.S. Open on Thursday. With the clock ticking and his foot still on the mend, Rahm will be banking on a speedy recovery to ensure he’s in peak condition for golf’s prestigious major event.
