After opening THE PLAYERS Championship with a 1-under first round, World No. 1 Jon Rahm withdrew at TPC Sawgrass before Friday’s second round.
It was a final three rounds to forget for Jon Rahm at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week, but the No. 1-ranked player in golf was eyeing a bounce-back this week at TPC Sawgrass for the PGA Tour’s flagship event, THE PLAYERS Championship.
He started off well for the week in some difficult conditions that tripped up many players, including a Top 3 player in the world and Rahm’s group member, Rory McIlroy. Rahm shot a 1-under 71 in the first round and seemed to be in striking distance if he were able to get hot.
Sadly, that opportunity won’t be there.
Before his second round on Friday, Jon Rahm withdrew from THE PLAYERS Championship, leaving McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler to play as a twosome in Round 2.
Why did Jon Rahm withdraw at THE PLAYERS Championship?
Per the PGA Tour’s release on Rahm’s withdrawal, the World No. 1 is out at THE PLAYERS Championship due to a stomach illness.
Jon Rahm has withdrawn from @THEPLAYERSChamp due to illness. pic.twitter.com/hgYdt5HK1Y
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 10, 2023
There aren’t any details about what Rahm is dealing with and for how long it’s been going on. It’s unlikely he’d be in the field for next week’s Valspar Championship but his health and status will be worth monitoring for two weeks from now at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play and four weeks from now at The Masters.
Jon Rahm withdraws at THE PLAYERS Championship: Golf world reacts
Whenever the top-ranked player in the world WD’s from one of the biggest tournaments of the year, the golf world is definitely going to have something to say.
Jon Rahm withdraws from the Players with an illness he apparently contracted from watching Rory McIlroy putt on Thursday.
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) March 10, 2023
Disappointing news primarily for Jon Rahm of course, but also feel that playing in a twoball and being held up all day won’t do any favours for Rory trying to make the cut
— Jamie Weir (@jamiecweir) March 10, 2023
After Jon Rahm’s withdrawal, hearing word that McIlroy and Scheffler will be playing with a non-competing marker, a local pro named Sam Cmith pic.twitter.com/UCN0k2pvp8
— ANTIFAldo (@ANTIFAldo) March 10, 2023
Jon Rahm has withdrawn from the @THEPLAYERSChamp with a stomach bug. Disappointing that the #1 player in the world will miss the rest of the way but there are a ton of great stories out there. @PGATOURLIVE
— James Alexander (@jamessalexander) March 10, 2023
Whoa. Jon Rahm WDs from the Players Championship due to illness.
— James Colgan (@jamescolgan26) March 10, 2023
W/ JT, Rory, Xander and others outside the cutline starting Friday, the weekend is quickly taking on a very different shape
World No. 1 Jon Rahm has withdrawn from the Players Championship due to illness.
— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) March 10, 2023
Wow. #ThePLAYERS
Not included in these reactions are the countless people immediately asking sportsbooks for refunds on Rahm. You know, because any bad break deserves a refund, obviously.
Alas, we hope that Rahm recovers quickly from this illness and will be back in top form sooner rather than later. It is a shame we won’t get to see him on the weekend at TPC Sawgrass for reasons that have nothing to do with his play.
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