Jon Rahm, the current No. 8 golfer in the world and 2021 U.S. Open champion, announced Tuesday that he's withdrawing from this week's event at the prestigious Pinehurst Resort.
The 30-year-old cited an infected sore on his foot as the main reason for the decision. Rahm's announcement came as a shock to a golf community that's focused on arguably the largest tournament in professional golf.
After consulting with numerous doctors and my team, I have decided it is best for my long term health, to withdraw from this weeks US Open Championship. To say I’m disappointed is a massive understatement! I wish all my peers the best of luck and want to thank all of the USGA…
— Jon Rahm Rodriguez (@JonRahmOfficial) June 11, 2024
The timing could not be worse for Jon Rahm. The two-time major champion has struggled to find his game since leaving the PGA Tour for rival LIV Golf earlier this year. Rahm has been quite outspoken about "missing" events on the PGA Tour calendar he typically would be competing in.
Rahm just hasn't been able to find his form since the move. He struggled at Augusta as the defending champion in April when he logged a T-45 finish at The Masters. He followed that disappointment with a missed cut at the PGA Championship at Valhalla. Rahm's woes seem to continue, and the timing of this injury is an unfortunate development given the limited events he's scheduled to play in.
I don't really know what to say. Jon Rahm is one of the most talented golfers in the world, but it seems he's been a shell of himself since leaving for LIV Golf. His withdrawal from the U.S. Open only adds more fuel to the fire that is the rift between the rival tours. I and many golf fans were hoping Rahm had his sights set on Pinehurst as a place to turn his lackluster efforts from previous majors around.
It's hard to judge a player by their health, but this just seems like another issue in the laundry list of things that seem off about Rahm recently. Hopefully he can take this chance to recuperate and get himself healthy prior to next month. Rahm's next appearance with the best of the best wouldn't be until the Open Championship.
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