Everyone in the golf world will surely be awaiting the start of the 2024 U.S. Open as it inches closer and closer. This would especially be the case with the athletes who are part of the field at Valhalla, including the LIV Golf Pro Jon Rahm. But the situation at Pinehurst does seem a bit bleak for the professional who was spotted not in his best of conditions at the ongoing event in Houston.

A tweet was shared by Golfweek that included a video of the 2021 U.S. Open champ in his element at the contest being held at the par-72, 7425-yard Golf Club of Houston. However, what followed soon after spells nothing short of trouble for the golfer, as Rahm was observed wincing after he took his shot!

Jon Rahm’s U.S. Open chances, a fleeting dream?

Golfweek shared the video with the caption, “Jon Rahm appears to have been injured just a week before the U.S. Open.” The unfortunate situation took place when he was driving the ball at the par-3, 163-yard 7th hole. Although the pro did go ahead and score a par at the same, the reported injury, which seems to be a cut between his toes, coupled with his recent finishes at the two majors doesn’t paint a pretty good picture for the golfer at the upcoming U.S. Open.

Back at the 2024 Masters Tournament held at Augusta National, the 29-year-old, despite being the defending champion of the event, could only finish at T45. He did so while carding scores of 73-76-72-76 over the four days, totaling a 9-over-par overall 297, helping him rake in a cut of $57,200 from the prize purse. The Spanish pro registered the figures with the help of 10 birdies, and 13 bogeys, not to mention the 3 double bogeys.

Fast forward a bit to the next major that was held at Valhalla, the PGA Championship. The athlete, unfortunately, missed the cut at the major while scoring a 70-72 over the two rounds. He was unable to reach the projected cutline, all thanks to the 7 bogeys and the double bogey he carded over the two days, despite scoring 9 birdies during the same period.

Now, let us get back to the present. Jon Rahm, meanwhile, is currently placed at 15 on the leaderboard, tied with a total of 10 other professionals. If he is to ease the worries of his fans, then the golfer will have to dish out an even better performance than the one he made on Friday.

Rahm’s performance at the Golf Club of Houston

Despite the injury, the Legions XIII GC skipper was able to dish out a birdie in the following par-5, 8th hole, as well as on the par-4 10th, par-4 12th, par-5 13th, and par-4 2nd holes. This increased his total tally of birdies to five on the first day of play. But a double bogey at the par-4, 18th, made him finish outside the top-10 instead of being tied at T6 with seven other athletes.

Jon Rahm is currently placed at No. 2 on the season-long leaderboard with a total of 98.17 points. He was able to do so thanks to the seven top-10 finishes he garnered over his seven starts in the 2024 LIV Golf season. He will thus need to up his game while focusing on recovery if he is to maintain that streak as well as increase his U.S. Open chances!