Jon Rahm’s Ryder Cup future had been up in the air for some time, but it appears the Spaniard is set to return to the DP World Tour to keep hold of his Team Europe status.
Luke Donald has welcomed the decision to allow Jon Rahm the chance to compete at this month’s Spanish Open, with the LIV Golf star facing a race against time to keep hold of his Ryder Cup status.
Having competed in just one DP World Tour sanctioned event in 2024 on the back of his move to the LIV setup, Rahm is required to compete in three more tournaments on the Wentworth-based circuit to remain a Tour member and eligible to play in next September’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
Rahm revealed earlier this summer that he intended to compete at his native Spanish Open in attempt to tick another tournament off his tally, bu doubt cast over whether this was possible for the Legion XIII captain.
First, the Spaniard referenced his entry was dependent on the pregnancy on his wife Kelley, before revealing at LIV Chicago on Wednesday that he still hoped to tee it up in Madrid if the DP World Tour allowed. Having competed in ‘conflicting’ LIV events, Rahm had been fined and suspended by the Tour, but speaking this week, admitted he had no plans to pay the money he owed.
This left the 29-year-old in an awkward spot, with DP World Tour rules stating that players were unable to compete unless punishments had been served and paid. On Thursday it was confirmed by the Tour that Rahm had appealed the sanctions against him, thus making him eligible to compete in Spain.
“A representative from the DP World Tour said that Jon Rahm is currently appealing sanctions that were placed on him.
According to tour rules, he can still compete in the Acciona Open de España presented by Madrid.” The update was good news for Captain Donald, who is playing at the Irish Open this week at Royal County Down. Donald expressed his happiness over the decision to allow him to play and hopes that things in the golf world will improve.
Rahm needs to compete in two more events to qualify for the 2025 Ryder Cup. He shared this information while speaking in Chicago and mentioned that he intends to participate in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and Andalucia Masters to meet the eligibility criteria. “I would like to play at Sotogrande, the Andalucia Masters,” Rahm said. “It would be unfair to me and Spanish golf if they did not allow me to play, so we are trying to make it happen. I also want to participate in the Dunhill. A friend asked me to play, and Johan Rupert, the tournament sponsor, is a great ambassador for golf. I really want to play in all of those events.”