Why Did Jon Rahm Exit the U.S. Open Despite Sharing Positive Health Status Hours Ago? His Painful Ordeal Explained

Jon Rahm has decided to pull out from this year’s U.S. Open. The two-time major winner previously withdrew from the LIV Golf Houston last week, which cast doubt over his U.S. Open future. Rahm was dealing with a foot infection on his left toe. However, earlier on Tuesday, Rahm said that the infection is under control now, and appeared hopeful that it might get fully cured ahead of his 1.36 PM tee time on Thursday.

In the afternoon, though, it was clear that Rahm had to pass on the 124th U.S. Open. Jon Rahm announced he had to withdraw from the season’s third major. The two-time major winner wrote in his X (formerly Twitter) handle, “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.”  

On Tuesday, Rahm was wearing a flip-flop on his left foot, with a toe separator between his pinky toe and the next. The former U.S. Open champion said, “I don’t know how or what happened, but it got infected. The pain was high. On the Saturday round, Saturday morning, I did get a shot to numb the area. It was supposed to last the whole round, and by my second hole I was in pain already.” Rahm bowed out after playing 24 holes at Humble, Texas.

The Legion XIII captain, however, stayed over at Texas to support his team. Legion XIII finished seventh on the team leaderboard. Rahm, then flew to Pinehurst No.2 early Tuesday hoping that his foot would be cured by Thursday. Marty Smith of ESPN reported that Rahm is using antibiotics for the infection. Although the infection is getting cured as Rahm said, the pain isn’t fully gone.

Rahm, in his first season at LIV Golf, has played spectacular golf, notching top-10s in seven consecutive tournaments. Despite withdrawing, Rahm still remains the second-best player in the PIF-backed side this year. However, his major form has left much to be desired. The Legion XIII captain netted a T45 at Augusta and missed the cut at the PGA Championship.

After withdrawing from the U.S. Open, the Spanish International wrote, “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 staff, volunteers and community of Pinehurst for hosting and putting on what I’m sure will be an amazing championship! Hopefully I’ll be back in action sooner than later!” 

Jon Rahm’s place will be taken by the first alternate, Jackson Suber, a 24-year-old Korn Ferry Tour pro. Suber, in his first U.S. Open, and indeed his first major appearance, is paired with Jordan Spieth and Hideki Matsuyama. The University of Mississippi product has two top-10s at the KFT this season. Nevertheless, for the Greg Norman-fronted LIV Golf, Rahm’s withdrawal is another blow to its major glory.

Without Jon Rahm, the already small LIV contingent becomes a little smaller

Only 12 LIV Golfers will tee off at Pinehurst No.2, down from 15 last year. At the Masters, 13 from the PIF-funded side teed off, and 16 were at Valhalla for the PGA Championship. A handful of LIV Golf pros vied for a spot in the 156-man field through qualifiers. However, only two, Eugenio Chacarra, and David Puig were successful. 

United States Golf Association CEO, Mike Whan, has said that they are open to creating a pathway for LIV Golfers at the U.S. Open. However, considering the progress in PIF’s framework agreement with the PGA Tour, they decided the 2024 season to play out. “If LIV stays as a separate entity and keeps the quality of players that it’s got, can I envision a pathway to the U.S. Open through LIV? I can, but I’d like to see what the final product is, and we’re just not exactly sure we know that yet,” Golfweek quoted Whan as saying.

For Jon Rahm, who won the event in 2021, the withdrawal will be a personal setback. Mike McAllister, the editorial director at LIV Golf, pointed out that this will break Rahm’s streak of 29 consecutive major appearances. After the U.S. Open, the Saudi-backed side will stop at Nashville. Rahm’s best hope remains the June 21 tournament at the Grove.