'Concerned' Jon Rahm 'Does Not Know' Whether He Will Play US Open After Being Forced To Skip First Two Practice Days Due To Injury
The Spaniard is battling with a foot injury that has prevented him from practicing at Pinehurst so far this week
![Jon Rahm during the second round of the PGA Championship](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WyYdjW6e9SHn83B6BCTGt9-415-80.jpg)
Jon Rahm has said he plans to practice for the first time during US Open week on Wednesday but admits he "does not know" whether he will tee it up competitively at this stage as he continues to try and make a late recovery from a foot injury.
The 2021 US Open champion was not on site at Pinehurst for the first day of practice on Monday and, after turning up to speak with the media on Tuesday, admitted he was not planning to head out onto the course afterwards either.
Spanish outlet Ten-Golf first reported on Tuesday morning that the two-time Major winner was struggling with an infection in between two of his toes - initially caused by a cut - after his champion's parking spot at the iconic golf course was left empty on Monday.
Rahm later revealed that he was suffering with a "lesion" on his skin - a small hole in between his smallest toe and the adjacent one. He continued to explain that the area is infected but that it is now "controlled," although there remains swelling and pain.
He said: "We've been trying to figure it out because I think that the closest term would be a lesion on the skin. If I were to show you, it's a little low in between my pinky toe and the next toe.
😣 Jon Rahm no ha estado este lunes en Pinehurst y tampoco jugará el martes👉 Todos los detalles de cómo evoluciona la infección que tiene el jugador español https://t.co/3hYzsrFl5MJune 10, 2024
"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.
"The infection was the worrisome part. The infection is now controlled, but there's still swelling and there's still pain. There's a reason I walked out here in a shoe and a flip-flop, trying to keep the area dry and trying to get that to heal as soon as possible. But I can only do what I can do. The human body can only work so fast."
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Asked whether he knew how strong the chance he would or would not play this week was, given it was only days after he withdrew from LIV Golf Houston, Rahm continued by saying:
"Could I have dragged myself out there and posted some kind of a score? Yeah. But it was getting to a point where I wasn't making the swings I wanted to make, and I could have hurt other parts of my swing just because of the pain. As to right now this week, I don't know."
Rahm was first seen limping on the opening day of LIV Golf Houston last Friday. On his fifth hole of the day, he struck a short-iron in and - on impact - was visibly in pain as he attempted to walk it off.
Jon Rahm clearly dealing with some kind of injury here. Was getting his foot worked on just minutes before teeing off, and now visibly in pain after this shot.Makes you wonder how long he's been dealing with this. pic.twitter.com/We8FZCRdv0June 7, 2024
The 29-year-old completed his first round before receiving treatment on his affected area, but Rahm played just six holes of his second round before withdrawing from the event and being replaced by Ben Campbell on Sunday. Rahm's early exit also ended his record of finishing in the top-10 at all seven tournaments since he crossed over from the PGA Tour in December 2023.
Just two days out from the US Open beginning, it still is not certain that Rahm will choose to tee it up in competition at Pinehurst or whether he pulls out - thus maintaining his disappointing stretch of results at Majors in 2024.
📹 Ya está aquí‼️ 👉 Jon Rahm justo antes de entrar en la sala de prensa con una chancla y con tiritas en los dedos del pie pic.twitter.com/GpHv7pq3fIJune 11, 2024
The 2023 Masters champion secured a T2 finish at Royal Liverpool last year but has since ended T45 at Augusta as Scottie Scheffler slipped on a second Green Jacket and missed the cut at the recent PGA Championship.
Pinehurst No.2 might not be the location many players would choose to try and rediscover their form, however, with the small and slick greens above severe false fronts, plus the punishing waste areas eagerly awaiting errant strikes, making it a potentially confidence-sapping course to navigate your way around.
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. An improving golfer who still classes himself as ‘one of the worst players on the Golf Monthly team’, Jonny enjoys playing as much as he can and is hoping to reach his Handicap goal of 18 at some stage. He attended both the 150th and 151st Opens and is keen to make it an annual pilgrimage.
-
Rocket Mortgage Classic Round Four Tee Times
Akshay Bhatia and Aaron Rai are tied at the top heading into the final round at Detroit Golf Club
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Will Zalatoris' Manager Provides Update After 27-Year-Old Withdraws From Rocket Mortgage Classic Through Injury
Zalatoris admitted he felt "a pop" in his "good" hip following a shot and opted to withdraw from the PGA Tour event midway through his third round
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
9 Takeaways Now We're Two Majors Down In The Men's Game
What are some of the biggest talking points now that we're halfway through the men's Major season?
By Elliott Heath Published
-
'We're Not Going To Change Anything' - Rahm And Hatton Remain Eligible For Ryder Cup Selection Says New DP World Tour Boss
New DP World Tour boss Guy Kinnings says Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton will remain eligible for Ryder Cup selection as long as they follow the current criteria already in place
By Paul Higham Published
-
Jon Rahm Pinpoints ‘Key Difference’ That ‘Could Help A Lot Of Fans Trust In LIV'
The Spaniard believes a change of format could improve the perception of LIV Golf
By Andrew Wright Published
-
'We're A Fraternity' - Seve Stories Shared At Jon Rahm's 'Emotional' Masters Champions Dinner
Phil Mickelson was again quiet, Sandy Lyle couldn't make it and the Seve stories flowed as Jon Rahm hosted a successful Champions Dinner ahead of The Masters
By Paul Higham Last updated
-
Jon Rahm Reveals What He Misses About The PGA Tour Ahead Of Masters Defence
Rahm spoke about why he still "loves the PGA Tour", the pressure of LIV Golf events, and his legacy ahead of defending his Masters title this week
By Joel Kulasingham Published
-
'I Definitely Wouldn't Mind Going Back To 72 Holes' - Jon Rahm Calls On LIV To Make 'Helpful' Format Change
The current Masters champion suggested that increasing the number of holes in a week on the PIF-backed circuit could help with unification in the men's game
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Jon Rahm Could Lack The 'Right Intensity' To Defend Masters Title After 'Playing Resort Courses In His Shorts' In LIV Golf
Sir Nick Faldo questioned whether Jon Rahm could find the right intensity to defend his Masters title after making the switch to LIV Golf
By Paul Higham Published
-
'We're Coming For That Green Jacket' - Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, And Sergio Garcia Backing LIV Golfer To Win The Masters
There are 13 LIV Golf players set to tee it up at Augusta National Golf Club next week - and it's fair to say that confidence is high among the group
By Jonny Leighfield Published