Jon Rahm announcement made days after LIV star WDs from Spanish Open

The DP World Tour have confirmed Jon Rahm will make his debut at the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship next month.

Rahm had not been expected to tee it up at Yas Links from 5-8 November, but his withdrawal from last week's Spanish Open had put his commitment to play five DP World Tour events this season in doubt.

The two-time major champion agreed to the five-tournament requirement as part of a deal to end his stand-off with the Tour over his participation in LIV Golf.

Rahm, 31, pulled out of his national open in Madrid because his wife, Kelley Cahill, is due to give birth to the couple's fourth child any day now. 

His appearance in Abu Dhabi will see him return to the UAE, where he has enjoyed considerable success, including three victories at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

"I've had some of the best weeks of my career in the UAE, so I'm really looking forward to playing in Abu Dhabi for the first time," Rahm said. 

"I've heard great things about Yas Links, and I'm looking forward to playing there. 

"It'll be great to get started in Abu Dhabi before heading to Dubai the following week."

Rahm will join a star-studded field that includes defending champion Aaron Rai and six-time major winner Rory McIlroy, who is bidding to equal Colin Montgomerie's record of eight Race to Dubai titles.

McIlroy's former Ryder Cup rival, Patrick Reed, currently leads the way. 

Eugenio Chacarra leapfrogged McIlroy last week after finishing in a share of second in Madrid.

The Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship is the first leg of the DP World Tour's playoffs. 

Only the top 70 in the rankings will tee it up, with the top 50 advancing to the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. 

Uncertainty over DP World Tour playoffs

Uncertainty remains over whether the DP World Tour's payoffs will go ahead in the Middle East next month, with the ongoing regional conflict raising concerns over player safety and travel.

DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings has said the intention is to stage both events as planned, but contingency arrangements have reportedly been explored should the security situation deteriorate.

The uncertainty has prompted concerns among some players, with England's Matt Fitzpatrick questioning whether he would be comfortable travelling to the region to defend his DP World Tour Championship title

The Tour has said it continues to monitor developments and take advice from international travel advisers, while players will have to weigh the potential risks of travelling against the significance of the season-ending events

The DailyMail have reported that Real Club de Golf Sotogrande in Spain has been discussed internally as a back-up plan.