Jon Rahm forced to withdraw from LIV Golf tournament with freak injury just days before US Open

JON RAHM faces a race to be fit for this week's US Open after a freak injury.

The Spaniard, 29, was forced to withdraw from the LIV Golf event in Houston on Saturday.

That is because he has an infection in his left foot.

And the former Masters champion also has a cut between two of his toes in a bizarre problem.

Rahm was spotted grimacing after his tee shot on the seventh hole on Friday - after getting treatment before taking to the course.

He also limped during parts of the round before making it through just six holes on Saturday.

However, a third of the way through his round, the LIV Legion XIII team captain put his clubs away and called it a day, unable to continue.

And it puts his participation at the US Open into serious doubt.

Rahm won the event - his first major - in 2021, before adding the Masters last year.

He is expected to travel to Pinehurst, North Carolina and give a press conference on Tuesday, where he can give an update on his condition.

The tournament kicks off on Thursday - with dominant golf world No1 Scottie Scheffler the heavy favourite once again ahead of Rory McIlroy and PGA champ Xander Schauffele.

Wyndham Clark is the defending champ heading into the US Open, pipping McIlroy by one stroke at the Los Angeles Country Club last year.

Rahm has struggled in the majors so far this year since his shock £480million defection to LIV in December - despite making three top-tens last season.

He finished T45 at Augusta for the Masters - won by Scheffler - and then missed the cut at a dramatic PGA Championship which saw Scheffler arrested on his way into Valhalla.

All charges against the American were dropped after what was described as a "big misunderstanding".