Jon Rahm was in obvious pain at LIV Golf Houston.
Tim Warner/Getty Images
Jon Rahm didn’t have the 2024 he might have hoped for, and it could have been worse this weekend.
After a video of Rahm writhing in pain after swinging in the first round of LIV Golf’s Houston event at the Golf Club of Houston, the two-time major winner made six holes in his second round on Saturday.
Rahm made a short par putt on the 10th hole (his sixth of the day) before shaking hands with his teammates as CW radio reported his retirement. LIV’s No. 2 player this season had a day-best at three under for the tournament, four shots behind his opening 69 on Friday.
On Friday’s 7th hole, Rahm passed out in obvious pain after playing his way to the par-3. He made par on the hole and then made five birdies punctuated by one double bogey.
His WD comes just days before he is named one of the favorites for next week’s US Open at Pinehurst. Rahm won the 2021 US Open at Torrey Pines for his first major title and added a second last year at the Masters.
LIV Golf announcer Arlo White reported that Rahm was dealing with a “bruise between the toes” and received treatment on Friday and before Saturday’s round.
The 29-year-old Spaniard sent shockwaves through the golf world when he opted to sign with LIV Golf in December after a four-win 2023 season, including his victory at Augusta. In seven starts before this week in 2024 on the PGA Tour, Rahm hasn’t finished worse than 10th, but he hasn’t fallen either.
His results in the first two majors of the year were also disappointing, finishing T45 in his defense of the Masters title and missing the cut at the PGA Championship. Before the PGA at Valhalla, Rahm had made 18 consecutive cuts in the majors, the longest active streak going in.
Before he missed out on the ax at Valhalla, he also made headlines saying that he still wants to be considered a member of the PGA Tour even though he was suspended from joining LIV Golf at the beginning of the year.
Jon Rahm’s comments on the PGA Tour raised eyebrows at the PGA Championship
James Colgan
“I see you guys keep saying ‘the other side’ but I’m still a member of the PGA Tour, suspension or not,” said the 2023 Masters winner. “I still want to support the PGA Tour. And I think that’s an important distinction to make. I don’t feel like I’m on the other side. I’m not just playing there.”
Rahm’s comments drew the ire of commentators on the Golf Channel’s “Live From” show.
“I want to break his neck on TV,” said Aaron Oberholzer. “I’m still in a bad mood now. I’m still in like that. I mean – and every player in that locker room right now, watching that – on the PGA Tour – should be mad at him. “
Now, the status of World No. 3 to become the third champion of the year at Pinehurst, at the time of this writing he was tied for fourth best at +1600, we doubt.
This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available.
