Rahm withdraws from US Open with foot injury

Jon Rahm has pulled out of this week’s US Open at Pinehurst with an injured foot.

The Spaniard withdrew after just six holes of the second round of LIV Houston on Saturday with an infection in his left foot. He arrived at Pinehurst on Tuesday with the intention of giving himself time to recover, but later posted on social media: “After consulting with numerous doctors and my team, I have decided it is best for my long-term health, to withdraw from this week’s US Open Championship. To say I’m disappointed is a massive understatement.”

At a news conference held on Tuesday, Rahm hinted his participation was in doubt when he said his foot was “a concern” and that he did not know if it would heal in time.

“It is doing better but the pain is high,” added the 29-year-old. “I have a little hole between my pinky toe and next one and it got infected. I got a shot to numb the pain before the second round in Houston that was supposed to last all round and it lasted two holes. 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.”

Rahm, who secured the first of his two major titles at the 2021 US Open at Torrey Pines, has not won a tournament since the Masters last year. He joined LIV Golf in January, but has yet to win on the circuit. He finished tied 45th at the Masters in April and missed the cut in last month’s PGA Championship.