The 2024 season has been blissful for Jon Rahm. The Spaniard made his LIV Golf debut, dominated the league as he became the individual championship, and won nearly $35 million in 2024 career earnings. On the breakaway circuit, Rahm’s plans fell into place perfectly, but beyond its boundaries, chaos ensued. A foot infection prevented the 2-time major winner from participating in the US Open at Pinehurst No. 2. He detailed the infection as a lesion between his fourth and pinkie toe, which had worsened due to an infection. Now, it seems Rahm would not be able to continue his season as he wished to.

After finishing up his business on LIV Golf, Rahm had planned to move to the DP World Tour and play three more events, so that he could keep the European Tour card (a player must play four events in a season to be a member) and to have Ryder Cup eligibility. Previously, the Spaniard’s eligibility at the Spanish Open was uncertain because he had due fines that he disagreed to pay. But as he appealed those sanctions before the deadline, Rahm was allowed to be in the field at the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid in Madrid, Spain, starting September 26th.

However, the 29-year-old pulled out from the LIV Golf Team Championship last week because he was suffering from flu-like symptoms. With his ongoing health issues, Rahm may not be able to tee up at the Open de Espana as he wanted to. But there will be four more golfers representing LIV Golf in pain this week. The four, aside from Rahm, are Eugenio Chacarra, David Puig, Patrick Reed, and Tyrrell Hatton. For all these players except Chacarra, playing well on the DP World Tour events may mean that they could get selected for the 2025 Ryder Cup through captain’s pick or by charting the Ryder Cup rankings. As of now, even the PGA of America showed the green light to the LIV Golf pros and made them eligible to play in the Ryder Cup and the PGA Championship.

Typically, flu lasts around 3 to 7 days and if Rahm had been suffering from the disease for much longer, it would not be wrong to assume that he may recover by the Open de Espana start and play the event without any implication. Although he may have more chances to complete the criteria of playing in four events, this one, as Rahm stated, is very important to him.

Jon Rahm would be frustrated if he missed the Open de Espana

Before he committed to play at the Open de Espana in Madrid, Spain, the 29-year-old pro revealed why it was important for him. Yes, it was to secure his DP World Tour card, and some Ryder Cup points, but the main reason for something else. The event’s prize purse is not even close to what Rahm has earned on the LIV Golf, so that reason is out of the window.

In an interview, the 3-time LIV Golf winner was talking about having a discussion with the DP World Tour regarding his fines and he started talking about the Spanish Open. Rahm said, “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.” As one of the best Spanish golfers in the world, Rahm also called out the DP World Tour and said that it would be a “disservice” if he wouldn’t be allowed to play.

But now as it stands, the European League has given him the green light, but his health has not. However, the pro and his fans should not lose hope because he has also committed to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and will also play in the Andalucia Masters at Real Club de Golf Sotogrande in the next two weeks. For now, Rahm would just hope to recover and return to his exceptional form.