The US Open could come too soon for Jon Rahm, who is dealing with an injury which has led to his withdrawal from the latest LIV Golf event hosted in Houston, Texas
Jon Rahm has been forced with withdraw from LIV Golf Houston through injury, leading to doubts over whether he will be fit to compete at the US Open next week.
Rahm suffered an injury scare on Friday during the first round at Houston, when hitting his approach shot on the seventh hole. He began to limp and was visibly in extreme pain, after only just having his foot looked at before teeing off.
According to the LIV Golf broadcast, Rahm has suffered a cut between his toes which is causing major discomfort when taking shots. Golf Digest reported that Rahm had a foot blister that ruptured into a cut, and it was too risky to complete the tournament with the US Open a priority.
If the reports are correct, a cut gives Rahm more chance of being ready for the US Open than a muscular injury. Rahm was even par throughout Saturday’s play before withdrawing, and three-under-par for the tournament.
Rahm will not want to miss the third major of the 2024 season, and the Spaniard is one of the favourites to win the competition, currently priced at 12/1. Even if he does make the event, the lasting effects of his injury could impact his performance.
In 2021, Rahm emerged victorious at the US Open, marking his inaugural major win prior to securing the Masters title in 2023. Although Rahm finished tied for 10th place at the tournament the previous year, his performance in 2024 has been lacking after joining LIV Golf and leaving the PGA Tour.
Earlier this year, the 29-year-old finished tied-45th in the Masters and failed to make the cut at the PGA Championship. Rahm’s participation in the Saudi-backed breakaway league has led to him playing fewer tournaments, but it has not yet resulted in improved performance on the course.
Rahm had not competed in any tournaments since the USPGA concluded on May 19, but he planned to use the LIV Houston tournament as a preparation for the upcoming US Open.
His condition will be evaluated during the week, and he will make a decision on whether to participate in the tournament that starts on June 13. He is eager to make a better impression than he did last year, as his frustration got the best of him in Los Angeles. Rahm made history by being the first Spaniard to win the US Open in 2021, but two years later, he expressed his anger by vandalizing a sign. In 2023, following two bogeys on holes 17 and 18 during the second round, Rahm angrily hit his putter against a credential sign, causing it to fall over.
He later expressed regret for his actions and bounced back the next day with a strong performance, ultimately ending up tied for 10th place in the tournament.
Since 2019, Rahm has placed 23rd or better in every US Open he has competed in, making it his second strongest major after the Masters based on statistics.
Leave a Reply