Nobody in golf, outside of maybe fans of the sport, wants to see a deal be made between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) more than Jon Rahm. The Spaniard, who just wrapped up his first season on LIV Golf, would like to tee it up whenever and wherever he pleases, including on the PGA Tour.
LIV players are banned from competing in any PGA Tour events at the moment, but as negotiations continue between the Saudi PIF and Tour representatives, the rumors of LIV players becoming eligible to compete on Tour again continue to grow. What that looks like, well, nobody knows, but Rahm is a player who sounds like he’ll take full advantage of whatever ‘loophole’ is created.
Jon Rahm wants to play on the PGA Tour again. Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Rahm will play the DP World Tour's Spanish Open this week, his first European Tour event since joining the LIV in December, and he made it clear he also wants to play some PGA Tour events soon.
“There are very few players who would want to play a full year on the PGA Tour again because it's impossible to combine the two. But I'm talking about being able to choose to play certain tournaments,” Rahm told reporters on Wednesday.
“If we start playing in February, that gives me time in January to play Torrey Pines (Farmers Insurance Open) and the American Express Championship… so I can come here without any problems and enjoy being a member of the DP World Tour.”
read: Talks between PGA Tour and Saudi PIF could fall apart over money
While Rahm is a proven golfer with a busy schedule over the past few years, his motivation to play on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour also has a lot to do with the 2025 Ryder Cup.
Rahm will need to play three more DP World Tour events in addition to this week's Spanish Open to retain his membership and continue to qualify for Team Europe's Ryder Cup under current requirements. Playing on the PGA Tour will earn him team qualification points, which LIV events cannot offer him or any other LIV player looking to join Team Europe.
Rahm can and will be selected as captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup, but of course he must be deemed eligible for that to happen.
