Why isn't Jon Rahm playing in the 2024 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship?

If you were hoping to catch Jon Rahm teeing it up in Abu Dhabi this week, you’ll be left disappointed. Despite the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship offering valuable points and positioning for the Race to Dubai, Rahm won’t be in the field. Instead, he’s opted for a more relaxed “home game” — spending time with his recently expanded family.

Baby and points negate Abu Dhabi Rahm

Rahm and his wife Kelley recently welcomed their third child, Alaia Cahill, a milestone that, understandably, shifted his priorities. After an intense season balancing LIV Golf commitments with the demands of the DP World Tour, Rahm is likely in no rush to get back to the fairways, and the timing couldn’t be better for some family downtime.

Skipping Abu Dhabi won’t jeopardize his place in the Race to Dubai’s final event, as he already has the ranking points needed to secure his spot in Dubai.

Has Rahm met the European Tour’s requirements for 2025 Ryder Cup eligibility?

Yes, Rahm’s absence in Abu Dhabi doesn’t disrupt his 2025 Ryder Cup plans.

The DP World Tour requires players to make at least four European starts in a season to qualify, a rule introduced in light of the Tour’s stance on LIV Golf members. Rahm recently completed this requirement with the Andalucía Masters, following his participation in the Spanish Open, Alfred Dunhill Links, and the Paris Olympics (which also counts towards his total).

So, even if Rahm’s Abu Dhabi absence might disappoint fans, he’s already squared away his eligibility criteria for the biannual clash with Team USA.

The balancing act between the DP World Tour and LIV’s schedule can be a tricky one, but the big Spaniard is now in the clear for both the Race to Dubai and Ryder Cup eligibility.