Jon Rahm makes expected announcement as DP World Tour schedule becomes clearer

Jon Rahm has confirmed he plans to return to the DP World Tour Playoffs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai – but only if both events go ahead as scheduled.

Rahm has not played in the DP World Tour Playoffs since leaving the circuit to join LIV Golf at the end of 2023, but the two-time major champion is now planning a return to the season-ending events in the UAE.

The Abu Dhabi Championship is scheduled to take place from November 5-8, followed by the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai from November 12-15.

However, there are still questions over whether both tournaments will go ahead as planned amid the ongoing situation in the Middle East.

Golf Digest's Jamie Kennedy reported last week that concerns had been raised by players over the possibility of the DP World Tour's final two events of the season being affected.

"Have heard from two players, questioning whether the DP World Tour's final two events in the Middle East will take place," Kennedy posted on X.

Kennedy subsequently contacted the DP World Tour for a response, with a spokesperson confirming that the organisation still intends to stage both Playoff events as scheduled.

"It is our intention to play the two play-off events as scheduled. We do, however, continue to monitor the situation in region, taking regular advice from relevant authorities along with our international travel advisors," the spokesperson said.

Rahm has now provided his own schedule update, and it's potentially great news for DP World Tour fans from now until the end of the season. 

Speaking ahead of the Irish Open at Trump Doonbeg, the LIV Golf superstar was asked about his upcoming schedule and confirmed that he is planning to play in Abu Dhabi and Dubai for the first time in three years. 

"I'm playing here, I'm playing next week, I'm planning on playing Abu Dhabi and Dubai depending if we play Abu Dhabi and Dubai, depending what goes on in that part of the world," Rahm said.

Rahm has won the DP World Tour Championship a joint record three times. 

McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick have also won the tournament three times on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

Rahm's last Playoff appearance came at the 2023 DP World Tour Championship, where he finished tied fifth. 

Several weeks later, in December 2023, Rahm announced his blockbuster move to LIV Golf.

The former World No.1 has remained a LIV Golf player ever since, although there has been growing speculation over his playing future ahead of the 2027 season, especially now the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) is no longer funding the league moving forwards. 

The 31-year-old refused to confirm or deny the latest rumours linking him with an exit from LIV Golf during an interview with BBC Sport NI (watch video below) on Tuesday, but claimed everything will be resolved soon. 

For now, however, Rahm is focused on finishing his current campaign strongly.

First up is this week's Irish Open, where he is bidding to make history.

The 10-time DP World Tour winner is chasing a third Irish Open title this Sunday, which would see him join his childhood hero Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Sir Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie as the tournament's only three-time winners.

McIlroy, who headlines this week's field, is also seeking a third Irish Open win. 

Rahm, like McIlroy, is also confirmed to play next week's flagship DP World Tour event of the season at the BMW PGA at Wentworth.

The Spaniard's schedule then moves towards the Spanish Open from October 8-11, although his appearance in Madrid remains uncertain.

That's because his wife Kelley is expecting the couple's fourth child next month, meaning his participation at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid will depend on when the baby arrives.

"Spanish Open, it all depends on when the little one decides to arrive," Rahm told reporters at Doonbeg on Tuesday. 

"I hope I can be there, but we will see. It's one of those things where family always comes first, and as much as I love the Spanish Open, if I have to choose, obviously it's an easy choice."

Rahm played in last year's Spanish Open, finishing tied ninth.

He is a three-time winner of the Spanish Open, which puts him level with Ballesteros. 

Sergio Garcia is also competing in the Irish Open and will also compete in his home Spanish Open, something he confirmed to GolfMagic last month. 

As for whether Rahm and the rest of his peers are able to compete in the DP World Tour Playoffs remains to be seen. 

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office no longer advises against travel to the UAE, although it continues to warn that the situation in the Middle East remains "unpredictable".

The DP World Tour's position, as of Tuesday, September 8, is that it intends to stage both the Abu Dhabi Championship and DP World Tour Championship as scheduled.