After missing the weekend of the LIV Golf Dallas team championship event due to the flu, Jon Rahm arrived in Spain on Wednesday to play in a DP World Tour event for the first time since leaving for the LIV Golf League last year.
Rahm, who won LIV Golf’s individual team title after capturing two events on the circuit, had returned home to Arizona where his wife, Kelley, gave birth to the couple’s third child. He was allowed to skip the pro-am at the Spanish Open in order to arrive late.
This is the first of three DP World Tour events that Rahm is expected to play over the next month in order to meet minimum membership requirements that would allow him to remain eligible to play for Europe next year at the Ryder Cup.
Rahm only recently appealed sanctions that the DP World Tour placed on him for competing in conflicting events without a tour release. His appeal of those penalties is what is allowing him to play this week.
In comments to reporters at the tournament site, Rahm said he was optimistic that an agreement would be reached between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, which funds LIV Golf.
“With the gossip and rumors that have been circulating over the last few weeks, it seems there has been a big step forward made,’’ he said. “I’m optimistic. I really am.”
Asked what he’d like to see, Rahm said: “Just one that allows us to play freely between tours and enjoy the game of golf. For example, in my case, play Torrey (Farmers Insurance Open) and American Express in January, and then continue to enjoy the fact of being a DP World Tour member and play some events in the fall as well without any problems.”
He is scheduled to play the Dunhill Links Championship next week in Scotland as well as the Analucia Masters next month in Spain.
Other LIV golfers in the Spanish Open field are Tyrrell Hatton, Adrian Meronk, Patrick Reed and Spaniards David Puig and Eugenio Chacarra.
Rahm is attempting to win the event for the fourth time. Defending champion Matthieu Pavon is also in the field.
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Jon Rahm Arrives in Spain for First DP World Tour Event Since Joining LIV Golf.
