Former champion Jon Rahm withdrew from the U.S. Open on Tuesday because of a foot injury, the tournament announced Tuesday evening in Pinehurst, N.C.
Rahm, 29, spoke earlier Tuesday at a press conference at Pinehurst No. 2 about preparing to play through pain following remnants of an infection between two toes.
“Oh, it’s a concern. It’s doing better,” Rahm said. “It’s doing better. But definitely still in pain.”
Rahm, who won the 2021 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, was scheduled to begin play Thursday in his ninth U.S. Open.
The Spaniard said earlier Tuesday that he had received a numbing injection last Saturday when he withdrew during the second round of LIV Golf Houston because of the injury. Rahm said he hoped to be competitive this week.
“Anytime I tee it up, I feel like I have a good chance,” said Rahm, revealing that he hadn’t tested the foot on the course this week and would be cautious not to tax the injury before Thursday.
Instead, Jackson Suber, 24, of Tampa, Fla., will replace Rahm in the 156-player field. Suber was the first alternate from the final qualifier in Rockville, Md., after rounds of 70-65 at Woodmont Country Club’s North Course on June 3.
Suber will make his U.S. Open debut. He has two top-10 finishes on the Korn Ferry Tour this season.
–Field Level Media