By Jon Rahm, the 2021 US Open champion, has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming US Open at Pinehurst No 2 because of a foot infection. This marks his first absence from a major tournament since 2016. Rahm, who had to pull out of a recent LIV Golf League event in Houston, expressed his disappointment on social media, emphasizing his decision was made with his long-term health in mind.
The Spanish golfer, ranked eighth in the world, was scheduled to play alongside Hideki Matsuyama and Jordan Spieth but will now be replaced by Jackson Suber, making his major debut. Rahm’s withdrawal reduces the number of LIV Golf League players in the tournament to 12.
Rahm’s season has been affected by the injury, with a 45th-place finish at The Masters and missing the cut at the PGA Championship, despite strong performances in LIV Golf League events prior to his withdrawal. He described the injury as a lesion between his toes that became infected, causing significant pain and swelling.
Despite the setback, Rahm is focused on recovery, aiming to return for the next LIV Golf League event in Nashville and the LIV Golf Andalucia event in July, before The Open at Royal Troon.
