LIV golf superstar Jon Rahm returns to the DP World Tour Spanish Open this week after his wife Kelly gave birth to their third child and first daughter before the tournament.
This update was first published by mark.
Kelly and Jon are currently celebrating the birth of their first daughter, having previously had two sons, Kepa, three, and Eneko, two.
Rahm, 29, was forced to withdraw from the pro-am on the eve of his home open, but he left Arizona for Madrid on Tuesday and will play in the first round on Thursday.
He will be looking for his fourth title at the Spanish Open, having already engraved his name on the trophy in 2018, 2019 and 2022.
Lahm's idol, the late famous player Seve Ballesteros, also won the championship three times in 1981, 1985 and 1995.
Angel de la Torre won the Spanish Open five times between 1916 and 1925, setting the all-time record for Spanish Open titles.
But it wasn’t until 1972, when the track was built, that it became a European Tour event.
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The former world No. 1 also withdrew from LIV Golf’s season-ending team tournament in Dallas last weekend.
Although the official reason for his WD was illness (flu symptoms).
John Catlin replaced Rahm, and Rahm's Legion XIII team finished fourth.
A week ago, Rahm won the individual title in his debut season.
But to the delight of the home fans, Rahm will make his long-awaited return to the DP World Tour at this week's Spanish Open at Club Campovilla in Madrid.
The 10-time DP World Tour champion will be joined by Matthieu Pavon and Sepp Straka 2 p.m. The first round of the game on Thursday local time.
Then he will 9:10 AM in the second round on Friday.
View full R1 / R2 tee times here.
Players are vying for the Spanish Open's first prize of more than $500,000.
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Jon Rahm returns to DP World Tour this week
Rahm has been allowed to play in this week's Spanish Open after appealing a fine imposed by the DP World Tour.
The same can be said for Rahm’s Legion XIII and European Ryder Cup teammate Tyrrell Hatton, who returned to the DP World Tour earlier this month for the British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo at the Belfry.
Rahm and Hatton were both fined by the former European Tour for playing in LIV golf events this season.
It is estimated that Ram's fine is now more than $1 million.
Hatton and Rahm's decision to appeal their fines and return to the DP World Tour is crucial to their Ryder Cup hopes.
That’s because they need to play at least four regular season events outside of the majors to maintain their DP World Tour membership and qualify to join Luke Donald’s 2025 European Ryder Cup team.
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The latest news on this controversial topic is that the appeal process may extend beyond the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black next September.
It was also revealed last week that the DP World Tour had rejected an offer from LIV Golf to pay the fines for Rahm and Hatton.
One DP World Tour pro told GolfMagic that he was happy with the decision and that the tour should “let them suffer.”
Hatton also competed in the Spanish Open.
The English player will tee off at 9am on Thursday along with Matteo Manassero and Jorge Campillo.
So far, Rahm has only played in one regular season match on the DP World Tour.
That was at the Paris Olympics, when Rahm threw away a four-shot lead on the back nine and didn’t even make the podium.
Rahm is also expected to play in next month’s Dunhill Links and Andalucia Masters, which will ensure he completes four regular events during the DP World Tour season.
If Rahm finishes in the top 70 of the DP World Tour Rankings in November, he will qualify for the DP World Tour Playoffs.
The top 70 players will compete in Abu Dhabi, before the top 50 go to the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Rahm is currently ranked 126th on the DP World Tour and Hatton is 94th.
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