Report: Jon Rahm withdraws from Spanish Open as LIV Golf future hangs in the balance

Jon Rahm will play no part at this week's Spanish Open, according to a report. 

The LIV Golf recruit, a three-time winner of his national open, had been expected to tee it up at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.

But the Spaniard will miss the event as he and his wife Kelley Cahill await the birth of their fourth child.

Rahm previously explained that Kelley's due date meant that he was not certain to play in the DP World Tour event. 

Spanish outlet TenGolf were the first to report news of the former Masters champion's withdrawal. 

Rahm, 31, Rahm has won the Spanish Open three times, matching the record set by his boyhood hero Seve Ballesteros in 1995.

His withdrawal brings an end to a busy and successful 2026 season, although it also comes at a time of considerable uncertainty in professional golf.

Rahm has enjoyed another strong campaign on LIV Golf, winning in Hong Kong and Mexico City and finishing runner-up four times. 

That consistency was enough for him to secure the individual championship for a third successive season.

He finished his LIV campaign with a second-place finish at the season-ending event in Indianapolis in August, while his Legion XIII team also won the team championship for a second consecutive year.

Rahm has also remained involved with the DP World Tour after resolving his long-running dispute with the circuit in May. 

He agreed to pay outstanding fines he had racked up for playing in LIV Golf events without official permission.

The agreement restored his eligibility for the 2027 Ryder Cup.

However, his future with LIV Golf remains unclear.

The circuit lost the financial support of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund during 2026 and subsequently filed for bankruptcy protection in September. 

Plans for a restructured LIV Golf operation are being developed, with Rahm among the leading players whose futures beyond this season remain uncertain.

Rahm had previously said he was unsure what his future with LIV would hold. 

His absence will be a significant blow to the Spanish Open, where he has been one of the tournament's biggest attractions in recent years. 

The event takes place from Thursday to Sunday, with England's Marco Penge returning as defending champion.