LIV golfer Jon Rahm will play three DP World Tour events this year as he looks to qualify for a fourth Ryder Cup appearance for Europe in 2025.
The former Masters and US Open champion is now officially in contention for the Spanish Open later this month, as well as the Dunhill Links Championship and Andalucia Masters in October.
To maintain his DP World Tour membership (which counts as a Ryder Cup berth), Rahm must play four tournaments per year outside of the European Tour majors.
Since his big-money move to LIV Golf last December, Rahm has played in just one DP World Tour event in 2024, of which the Spaniard’s participation in the Paris Olympics counts as one.
He also faces a DP World Tour fine for his move to London Vitalezarez, but Rahm has so far refused to pay the fine – which initially ruled him out of the remaining three tournaments this year.
However, Rahm appealed the fine before the deadline, improving his chances of playing at Bethpage Black next year, which would theoretically allow him to compete under DP World Tour rules.
Asked before the LIV Chicago Individual Finals whether he planned to honor his commitment to play on the European Tour, Rahm said he was “still in talks with the DP World Tour.”
“I'm going to play in Spain. I've signed up. We signed up a long time ago. Whether they let me play is another matter,” he said on Wednesday.
“I'm not a big fan of fines. I think I've made that clear. I'm not going to pay the fine and we've been trying to talk to them about how we can make that happen.
“I have said many times that I am not playing the Spanish Open for the glory or anything. I think playing the Spanish Open is my duty to Spanish golf and I also want to play in Sotogrande. [at the Andalucia Masters]”At that point, if I didn't play, it would almost be a disservice not only to me but to the interests of Spanish golf. That's why we tried to talk to them to make it happen.”
“I would love to go to Dunhill. I have a good friend who invited me to the show. [tournament organizer] John [Rupert] Always a great ambassador for the game of golf. I would love to play in all of these tournaments.”
Jon Rahm during the 2023 Ryder Cup.
(Image source: Getty Images)
Rahm, who has no scheduled hearing date for his appeal against the DP World Tour sanctions, has been vocal about his desire to represent Europe for a fourth time in 2025 and now appears set to play all three DP World Tour events to maintain his Ryder Cup eligibility.
A DP World Tour spokesman said this week: “Jon Rahm is appealing the sanction imposed against him and, under DP World Tour rules, is eligible to compete in the Spanish Open in Madrid later this month.”
Earlier this month, European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald said ahead of the British Masters that he wanted Rahm to be able to play next year, but only if he abided by DP World Tour rules.
“I’ve talked to Jon many times,” Donald said. “He absolutely knew what the deal was. When he signed with LIV, he knew what the DP World Tour policy was. He had to play four tournaments in a season to be eligible. He could pay the fine or he could appeal like some people did. It’s really up to him.”
“I very much hope he can do it and qualify. He made it clear at the PGA Championship that he is willing to do whatever it takes to contribute to me and the team.”
Jon Rahm's three DP World Tour events in 2024
- Spanish Open at Villa del Campo in Madrid (September 26-29)
- Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, St Andrews (October 3-6)
- Andalucia Masters at the Royal Golf Club of Sotogrande (October 19-22)