Jon Rahm makes major Ryder Cup move

Jon Rahm fell short in his bid to win a fourth Open de Espana on Sunday, but he still made a huge Ryder Cup move.

The Spaniard, playing in his second qualifying DP World Tour event, lost a David vs Goliath play-off to Angel Hidalgo, the world No.396, in Madrid.

Yet Rahm edged closer to becoming eligible for the biennial showpiece at Bethpage Black in 12 months.

Despite defeat on home soil, the two-time major champion earned 555 Race to Dubai points, seeing his rank in the season-long standings catapult.

It launched Rahm up to number 41 in the rankings, a rise of 84 places.

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The move sees the 29-year-old leap into qualifying places for the season-ending play-offs in the Middle East.

The top 70 players in the standings will earn a place in the field for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links.

Meanwhile, the top 50 players will be invited to the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates – a tournament Rahm has won a record three times.

A win in Spain, however, would have earned Rahm 835 points – which headed the way of his compatriot.

“Winning at home, winning a Spanish Open with all the support that there has been – you could tell how much he felt it and how important it was for him,” Rahm said.

“Thinking that on Tuesday morning I was still in the hospital in another country, on the other side of the Atlantic, in the end, I’m happy.

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“It’s a pity to have lost in the play-off and not have been able to do better today. I can’t say it has been a bad week. I gave myself a chance to win, which is what I wanted.

“I gave it my all until the end, and I’m proud of myself.”

Rahm can guarantee his place alongside Rory McIlroy and co. in the UAE at this week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

It will mark just his second start on the Wentworth-based circuit since moving to LIV Golf.

The Olympics, in August, counted for his first of four qualifying DP World Tour events, as Rahm seeks to meet criteria for the 2025 Ryder Cup.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.