Jon Rahm WDs from Open de Espana Pro-Am due to wife expecting third child

Jon Rahm Withdraws from DP World Tour’s Open de Espana Pro-Am Amid Family News, Still Plans to Compete in Tournament

Jon Rahm, one of golf’s top players, has withdrawn from the Pro-Am event of the DP World Tour’s Open de Espana, citing personal reasons. Rahm’s wife, Kelley Cahill, is currently expecting the couple’s third child, which has complicated Rahm’s travel plans from Arizona to Madrid. Despite this, the 29-year-old Spanish golfer remains intent on playing in the tournament, which begins this Thursday.

The DP World Tour confirmed Rahm’s withdrawal from the Pro-Am due to the imminent birth of his child, but reassured fans that he is still expected to compete in the main event. Rahm and Kelley are already parents to two young sons, Kepa, age 3, and Eneko, age 2. The couple’s growing family has impacted Rahm’s ability to participate in recent events, including the Pro-Am.

Adding to Rahm’s recent challenges, he was also forced to withdraw from LIV Golf’s Team Championship in Dallas last weekend due to flu symptoms. Rahm was replaced by John Catlin on the Legion XIII team, which finished in fourth place. The championship title went to Cameron Smith’s team, Ripper GC.

### Race Against Time for Ryder Cup Eligibility

Rahm’s participation in this week’s Open de Espana is critical for his Ryder Cup eligibility. Both Rahm and fellow LIV Golf player Tyrrell Hatton have faced fines from the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour) for participating in LIV Golf events earlier in the season. These fines have reportedly reached over $1 million for Rahm. However, the golfer is working to appeal these penalties in order to maintain his DP World Tour membership, which is necessary for him to remain eligible for the 2025 European Ryder Cup team.

Under current DP World Tour rules, Rahm must compete in at least four regular-season events outside of major tournaments to retain his tour membership. So far, Rahm has only played in one such event, at the Paris Olympics, where he failed to medal after leading for much of the competition. The Open de Espana is now his second appearance, and he is also slated to play in two additional events next month—the Dunhill Links and the Andalucia Masters—allowing him to meet the four-event requirement.

The DP World Tour recently made headlines by rejecting an offer from LIV Golf to pay off the fines incurred by Rahm and Hatton. A spokesperson from the Tour voiced satisfaction with the decision, expressing the sentiment that the players should “suffer the consequences” of their choices.

### Path Forward in the DP World Tour Season

Rahm is currently ranked 126th in the DP World Tour Rankings, with Hatton at 94th. To make the playoffs at the end of the season, Rahm needs to climb into the top 70 by November. If successful, he would be eligible to compete in the DP World Tour Playoffs in Abu Dhabi, with a chance to advance to the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, reserved for the top 50 players.

Despite the uncertainties surrounding his travel plans and the impending arrival of his third child, Rahm is determined to participate in the Open de Espana, hoping to secure his DP World Tour membership and keep his Ryder Cup hopes alive. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if Rahm can balance his family responsibilities with his pursuit of golf’s highest honors in the coming weeks.

Hatton, meanwhile, is also competing in this week’s Open de Espana, joining Rahm as one of 14 LIV Golf players in the field at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid. Both players have a lot on the line as they seek to navigate the complexities of competing on two tours and the consequences of their LIV Golf involvement.

Rahm’s participation in the remaining DP World Tour events this season will be crucial for his career trajectory, especially as the appeals process regarding his fines could drag on past the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.