Justin Rose: Jon Rahm should make himself eligible for Ryder Cup – rules should not be changed

Justin Rose has urged Jon Rahm to ensure his eligibility for next year’s Ryder Cup, emphasizing that Rahm’s participation should be his decision and that the rules should remain unchanged. Rahm must play in three events on the DP World Tour by the end of November to qualify for Luke Donald’s team, either as an automatic selection or a wild card.

Time is tight for Rahm, especially as he needs to enter the Spanish Open by next Thursday to meet the tour membership requirements necessary for the Ryder Cup in September at Bethpage.

Rose believes Rahm’s absence would be a significant loss, noting the impact he had in the 2023 Ryder Cup victory in Rome. “No matter where Jon stands in the world rankings or who he’s competing against, we all know what a great player he is,” Rose said. “You want him on the team because of his proven ability to perform.”

Rose acknowledges that while the DP World Tour has its regulations to uphold, there remains a viable path for Rahm if he chooses to follow it. “There’s a pathway to play the Ryder Cup if he wants it, and that’s all the DP World Tour can offer,” Rose added. “Everyone makes their own choices, and I respect that.”

Rahm is set to compete in the LIV individual finale in Dallas next week, where he is leading the standings and could win the £13.6 million top prize.

Rose made his comments after announcing an increase in prize money for the Rose Ladies Open, a Ladies European Tour Access event at Brocket Hall, starting Friday. The event will feature a field that includes Sara Byrne, a standout from Great Britain and Ireland’s Curtis Cup victory over the U.S., with a total purse of €72,000 (£60,699), the highest on the LET Access Series.