The world’s No. 1 golfer won’t be playing in Memphis this year, after all.
Jon Rahm has withdrawn from the 2021 World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational after previously committing to play in the event, his agent confirmed to The Commercial Appeal in a text message Tuesday morning.
Rahm won this year’s U.S. Open and moved back atop the world golf rankings after finishing in a tie for third place at The Open Championship in England last week. The Spaniard became the only golfer this year to finish in the top 10 at all four majors.
Jon Rahm tees off from the first hole for a practice round at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational at TPC Southwind on Wednesday, July 29, 2020.
Rahm, 26, is scheduled to represent Spain in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo next week. The men’s golf competition ends just five days before the first round of the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational.
As of Tuesday, Americans Dustin Johnson (No. 2) and Brooks Koepka (No. 7) are the only golfers currently ranked in the top 10 to be announced as commitments for this year’s WGC event in Memphis. Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama, Patrick Reed, Tyrrell Hatton and Sergio Garcia are also among the notable early commitments.
Golfers have until Friday afternoon to commit to play at TPC Southwind in two weeks. The 2021 WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational is scheduled to take place Aug. 5-8.
Justin Thomas is the defending champion.
You can reach Commercial Appeal columnist Mark Giannotto via email at mgiannotto@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter: @mgiannotto