Jon Rahm’s route back to Ryder Cup is clearer in music to Rory McIlroy’s ears

Jon Rahm played a pivotal role in Team Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph over the Americans last autumn. However, his subsequent move to LIV Golf has created uncertainty about his future participation in the event.

Rahm recently took a significant step toward securing a spot in Team Europe’s 2025 Ryder Cup team by representing Spain at the Olympic Games in Paris. Competing alongside fellow LIV golfer David Puig, Rahm was among 60 golfers vying for gold at Le Golf National. Heading into the final round, the former Masters champion was tied for the lead with Xander Schauffele and appeared poised to win gold. Unfortunately, a challenging Sunday saw Rahm slip down the leaderboard, with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler ultimately claiming the gold medal.

Despite the setback, Rahm’s performance at the Olympics bolstered his chances of competing in next year’s Ryder Cup. His decision to join LIV Golf last year cast doubts on his future with Team Europe, as the DP World Tour has fined and suspended members for participating in LIV events. This led to notable players like Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, and Lee Westwood resigning their memberships.

To be eligible for the Ryder Cup, players must maintain membership with the DP World Tour. Rahm has chosen to retain his membership, but he must participate in at least four DP World Tour events annually to avoid automatic termination. So far, Rahm has not appeared in any DP World Tour events this year, aside from the Olympics in Paris.

The DP World Tour confirmed to Mirror Sport that Rahm’s participation in the Olympics counts as a DP World Tour start, meaning he needs to play three more events to maintain his membership. Rahm expressed his intention to return to the DP World Tour after the LIV season concludes in September, aiming to compete in the Spanish Open, contingent on the smooth arrival of his first child with his wife, Kelley. He also has the opportunity to play in the Andalucia Masters in Spain a month later.

Following the end of the 2024 LIV Golf season, seven events remain on the DP World Tour schedule, including the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in early November. To qualify for this event, Rahm must rank within the top 50 in the Race to Dubai standings through his performances in other tournaments.

Rory McIlroy, a vocal critic of LIV Golf, has been advocating for Rahm’s inclusion in the 2025 Ryder Cup team since Rahm’s move to LIV. McIlroy has called for rule changes to allow his three-time teammate to compete, confidently stating, “Jon is going to be in Bethpage in 2025,” shortly after Rahm’s transition to the Saudi-backed tour.

Rahm’s efforts to fulfill his DP World Tour commitments and the support from prominent figures like McIlroy could prove crucial in securing his place in the next Ryder Cup.