Jon Rahm is poised for a sensational comeback on the DP World Tour at the Spanish Open in Madrid, setting his sights on becoming the tournament’s most decorated winner.
Rahm’s journey back to the top of Spanish golf hasn’t been without challenge, thanks to a rift between the DP World Tour and LIV Golf. The Wentworth-based body dished out fines and bans, including to Rahm, for competing in events linked to the contentious Saudi-funded league.
Facing exclusion from his national open, the erstwhile world No.1 was forced into cornering an appeal against these punitive measures, securing his ability to swing his clubs at home.
The Spanish golfer has made it clear he won’t bend to the DP World Tour’s financial penalties. Earlier in the month, Rahm defiantly declared: “I don’t intend to pay the fines, and we keep trying to have a discussion with them about how we can make this happen,”.
His allegiance to Spanish turf remains unwavering; Rahm has always maintained: “I’ve said many times, I don’t go to the Spanish Open for the glory or anything else. I think it’s my duty to Spanish golf to be there, and I also want to play in Sotogrande [Andalucia Masters],”. Now set to appear at this week’s eagerly anticipated event, Rahm ensures his love for the game triumphs over politics.
Rahm’s commitment to the Madrid tournament has become more significant than ever as the golf sensation needs to participate in three additional DP World Tour events before the year’s end to retain his membership, which is crucial for his Ryder Cup team eligibility. The move to LIV Golf had sparked fears that Rahm might miss out on the European team next year.
Moreover, the uncertainty surrounding his wife Kelley’s pregnancy cast further doubt on his ability to fulfil these commitments this season. “I haven’t been able to play any Tour events, so yeah, we’re going to have to sort it out before I want to tee it up hopefully at the Spanish Open,” Rahm said during The Open Championship in July.
“At this point, I’m so still waiting on what might happen with my wife and daughter that I don’t know if I’ll be able to play or not. So my fall is still a little bit of a question mark when it comes to playing golf.”
However, with the birth of their third child earlier this week, Kelley has cleared the path for Rahm to make it to Madrid by Wednesday, just in time for the start of the tournament on Thursday.
Putting aside personal challenges, Rahm is now poised to focus on his pursuit of a historic achievement on the course. Having already won the Spanish Open three times, he is on the brink of surpassing the legendary Seve Ballesteros to become the event’s most successful player.
While revelling in the glory of his success, the LIV Golf ace Rahm recognised the impact of past legends on his career, remarking: “History of the game is a big part of why I play and one of the reasons why I play, and Seve being one of them,” exactly four decades on from Ballesteros’ remarkable second triumph at Augusta.
