Paul McGinley sounds off on Jon Rahm as he pulls out of US Open, claims 'he's not the same competitor from last year'
Following Jon Rahm's withdrawal from the US Open, veteran Irish golfer Paul McGinley claimed that Rahm wasn't the same golfer as last year. He added that Rahm didn't have the same spring or consistency he had in past seasons.
On Tuesday, June 11, Jon Rahm initially spoke to the media at Pinehurst No. 2 ahead of the US Open 2024. However, following the press conference, he took to social media to announce his withdrawal from the season's third major after consulting medical experts.
Although Rahm pulled out of the US Open due to a foot injury, McGinley didn't seem happy with his overall performance this season and said he was hardly the player he was a year before.
"He’s had a very poor season," he told Golf Channel. "particularly when it comes to major championships so far, he’s not the same competitor he was this time last year.. he doesn’t seem to have the same spring in his step or play."
He added that the Spaniard was missing the consistency and intensity he had last year when he was arguably the toughest player on the circuit.
Rahm has had a contrasting season in the majors. He tied for 45th at the Masters Tournament, where he was the defending champion. Last month, he missed the cut at the PGA Championship and has now pulled out this week.
However, he has been pretty decent on the LIV Golf circuit. In his first season on the Saudi-backed circuit, he has made seven consecutive top-ten finishes and is placed second in the season's standings.
"But definitely still in pain" - Jon Rahm not completely fit for the US Open
Before pulling out of the US Open 2024, Jon Rahm attended the pre-event press conference on Tuesday. Informing the media about his injury status, he said his foot was still bothering him.
"It's doing better. But definitely still in pain," he said
Earlier, Rahm had withdrawn from LIV Golf Houston last week due to a foot infection. It appeared to be a precautionary measure to get fit for the season's third major, but now it seems it will take a few more days for him to regain fitness.
"We've been trying to figure it out because I think that the closest term would be a lesion on the skin," he said while explaining the injury. "If I were to show you, it's a little low in between my pinky toe and the next toe."
"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."
Jon Rahm added that the infection was a worrisome part. Although it was controlled now, the swelling and pain weren't going away.
He has missed just two cuts in his eight starts at the US Open. He also won the title in 2021 and tied for tenth last year.