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Jon Rahm to headline Andalucia Masters: Will ‘Rahmbo’ be eligible for the 2025 Ryder Cup?
The Spaniard, the 2024 LIV Golf individual champion, still faces sanctions for defecting to the Saudi-backed circuit. He was part of the European team that won the last edition of the Ryder Cup.
The 2024 Andalucía Masters gets underway at Real Club de Golf Sotogrande in San Roque on Thursday with LIV Golf individual champion and two-time Major winner Jon Rahm as one of the big draws.
The 29-year-old starts out as the bookies’ favorite to win the tournament and become the third Spaniard to do so. He will face stiff competition from compatriots Ángel Hidalgo, Nacho Elvira and Adrián Otaegui as well as Danish pair, Rasmus Højgaard and Thorbjørn Olesen.
Rahm, who defected to Liv Golf in December last year, is one who three players who have appealed against sanctions which prohibit them from taking part in the European tour (unless they pay a fine) for joining the Saudi-funded circuit without requesting permission as LIV tournaments clash with DP World Tour events.
Points and eligibility requirements for the 2025 Ryder Cup
It’s significant because it affects Rahm’s eligibility for the Ryder Cup. Players are required to reach a minimum four European tour starts to be eligible. The Andalucía Masters will be the Spaniard’s third appearance in a DP World Tour event this year, following his participation in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and last month’s Spanish Open.
However, Rahm also took part in the Paris Summer Olympics which also counts - he finished −15 tied for 5th in the Men’s Individual Stroke Play, just missing out on a medal.
So completing this week’s tournament in Cádiz, Rahm will have fulfill part of the criteria required. The top six players in the European points ranking - and who meet other eligibility requirements, will qualify automatically for Ryder Cup selection, with Captain Luke Donald selecting a further six to complete his team.
The rules are slightly different for Team USA as the PGA of America does allow LIV Golf members to compete in the US Ryder Cup team - Brooks Koepka falls into that category. The top six eligible players from the US Ryder Cup Points list following the BMW Championship on 17 August 2025 will make the team along with six picks from captain Keegan Bradley, which will be announced in August following the Tour Championship.