Jon Rahm sweating over US Open status after LIV Golf star suffered foot injury

Jon Rahm’s participation at the US Open at Pinehurst No. 2 is in doubt as the LIV Golf star battles a foot injury.

The Spaniard, who won the 2021 US Open at Torrey Pines, withdrew during the second round of LIV Golf Houston on Saturday, with commentators saying he was dealing with a cut on his foot that caused significant pain with every shot.

Rahm, who was three-under-par for the tournament managed just six holes of his second round before calling it a day, with his Legion XIII team later announcing the 29-year-old was dealing with an infection in his left foot.

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The timing is terrible for Rahm, who is desperate to make a splash in North Carolina this week after poor performances at the Masters and the PGA Championship so far this year – his first outings at the majors since his blockbuster move to LIV Golf in December.

According to TenGolf, Rahm was not in attendance at Pinehurst No. 2 on Monday, with his champion’s parking space left empty throughout the day. He is not expected to be on the course on Tuesday either, when his rivals will be putting in valuable time on the course in their practice rounds.

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The 2023 Masters champion is set to hold his pre-tournament press conference at Pinehurst on Tuesday at 2.30pm BST, and his fitness is sure to be at the top of the agenda with doubts building over his involvement in the field this week.

But even if Rahm does play, his hopes of making a significant impression on the leaderboard have been hindered by his lack of preparation. Pinehurst No. 2 is among the most fearsome tests of golf on the planet, with its false fronts, turtle shell greens, lightning-fast putting surfaces, and punitive waste areas that line its narrow fairways.

Just three players finished under par at Pinehurst the last time it hosted the US Open in 2014, when Martin Kaymer dominated the field to finish at nine-under-par, eight shots clear of second place.

Reigning US Open champion Wyndham Clark gave Rahm an idea of what to expect if he makes it onto the course this week. The world No. 4 said in his pre-tournament press conference. “[The greens] are extremely fast.

“If they get any firmer and faster, they’d be borderline. They already are borderline. The greens are extremely fast and penal. You hit it on the green, the hole is not done. I was just amazed how fast the greens are.”

Rahm has had a frustrating time on the course since joining LIV, failing to contend at the majors and although he sits in second place in the season standings, he is yet to taste victory with a best result of tied-third in Adelaide in April.