Jon Rahm will miss this week's US Open due to injury but Paul McGinley insists he's "not the same competitor he was last year".
The two-time major winner was due to compete at Pinehurst, having won the tournament back in 2021, but will miss out as his difficult year continues. The Spaniard opted to make a controversial switch to LIV Golf at the end of 2023, landing himself millions in the process.
Rahm had previously claimed he wouldn't make the move and since joining the breakaway tour has struggled to make an impact at the majors. At the Masters, where he was defending champion, he finished tied for 45th and at the recent PGA Championship he missed the cut.
McGinley has commented on the 29-year-old decline this term, citing his poor displays at the two majors thus far, as he observed how the Spaniard looked a shadow of the player who had been a dominant force.
The former Ryder Cup captain told the Golf Channel: "He’s had a very poor season. 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, the play, the consistency, the intensity he had this time last year when he was, arguably the most dominant player in the game."
Rahm confirmed his absence from this week's major because of an infection in his left foot having also withdrawn from a LIV event in Houston recently.
He said: "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 U.S. Open Championship. To say I’m disappointed is a massive understatement!
"I wish all my peers the best of luck and want to thank all of the USGA staff, volunteers and community of Pinehurst for hosting and putting on what I’m sure will be an amazing championship! Hopefully, I’ll be back in action sooner than later!"
Since LIV Golf came into the sport only once have they boasted a major champion, that being Brooks Koepka last year. The format of the tour, which only plays rounds of three, rather than four, has copped criticism.
Rahm reflected on his recent struggles at the PGA Championship, where he failed to make the cut. “I just couldn’t find a fairway off the tee," he said. "You can make birdies off the fairway, but off the rough, it’s a tough golf course to score on and that’s kind of what happened to me.”