As the golf season nears its close, fans are gearing up for the final events, but not all familiar faces will be teeing it up. Among the notable absences is Jon Rahm, who has made the surprising decision to skip the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, set for November 14-17. Despite his impressive performance this year and his comfortable spot at 38th in the DP World Tour Rankings, Rahm’s absence has led to questions about his eligibility for the 2025 Ryder Cup.

Now, here’s the thing: Rahm’s eligibility for the Ryder Cup isn’t in jeopardy—at least not because of this one decision. Under the current rules, players need to compete in at least four DP World Tour events to qualify, either automatically or as a captain’s pick. Rahm has already met that requirement with his appearances in events like the Open de España, Dunhill Links, and Andalucia Masters. So, even though he’s skipping Dubai, he’s still on track for a spot on the team.

That said, his withdrawal does raise some eyebrows. Former Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington recently pointed out that it’s crucial for players to honor these commitments, not just for their careers but for the sake of the event and the European Tour as a whole (via Golf Monthly). Rahm, after all, has a lot to balance right now—family, personal commitments, and his ongoing journey with LIV Golf. Despite this, the Spaniard’s place in the 2025 Ryder Cup is likely.

As long as Rahm’s consistent excellence continues, be it through automatic qualification or as a pick by captain Luke Donald, the LIV star will likely head to Bethpage next year, regardless of his decision to sit out this one tournament.​ One big question that remains, however, is this:

Can Jon Rahm make the team on his own?

Jon Rahm’s chances of making the 2025 Ryder Cup team? They’re looking very good. As one of the best European players out there, his spot is nearly guaranteed. Rahm’s performances on the course, especially in major tournaments, put him in a strong position for qualification.

But here’s the catch: to automatically qualify, players need to meet certain criteria, like playing a set number of DP World Tour events. Rahm, who’s dealing with sanctions from the DP World Tour for his participation in LIV Golf events, is in a bit of a tricky spot. That said, he’s appealed these sanctions, and if his appeal goes through, he’ll stay eligible for the Ryder Cup.

So, while Rahm could either qualify automatically based on his performances or be chosen as a captain’s pick, his place on the team seems almost certain. Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has already backed Rahm’s decision to skip the DP World Tour Championship, understanding that Rahm’s been juggling some big priorities lately.

“With everything going on in the world of golf, this gives him some opportunity and time to play his three events that he needs to get to his four to maintain eligibility requirements that the DP World Tour requires,” Donald said. “I’m super happy he’s decided to do that. Jon is a world-class player and we’re certainly stronger with him in the team.”

So yes, it seems like it’s just a matter of time for Jon Rahm and the Ryder Cup to be reunited!