Jon Rahm on his Ryder Cup chances? "I'd like to think that I've played good enough to, if possible, be a pick"

European Ryder Cup hopeful Jon Rahm says he believes he's done enough to earn one of Luke Donald's captain's picks. 

The former Masters champion is looking to wear the blue and gold for the fourth time when the biennial contest heads to Bethpage Black this September.

In his previous three appearances, the Spaniard, 30, qualified for the team on merit by virtue of his body of work across the season. 

But his move to LIV Golf in December 2023 has limited his DP World Tour appearances, making it difficult for him to earn enough qualifying points.

The two-time major winner is currently 19th in the European Ryder Cup standings. 

Masters champion Rory McIlroy has already qualified, with Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Robert MacIntyre and Shane Lowry currently occupying the five automatic qualifying berths. 

It's more than likely Rahm will be included in Luke Donald's plans when he names his six captain's picks in early September. 

But the golfer is not giving up hope yet of making the team on merit by putting in a good performance next week when The Open heads to Royal Portrush. 

"I can still qualify, so hopefully I qualify, and it's a reality," Rahm told reporters before LIV's stop in Valderrrama. 

"I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to win next week, but it's a possibility, and if not, we'll see what happens. 

"But I'd like to think that I've played good enough to, if possible, be a pick."

Rahm was integral to Europe's 16½-11½ victory over the U.S. in Rome two years ago. 

He formed a formidable partnership with his Legion XIII teammate Hatton and didn't taste defeat once in four matches. 

Rahm's overall Ryder Cup record is 6-3-3. 

"It's such a special event," Rahm added. 

"The last three have all been incredibly wonderful in different ways, even in the last, the process throughout the week, the camaraderie, the friendships and the memories that are made are quite special.

"But the last one in Rome was so much fun. It was so incredible. We made such a fun team, such a fun week of work that I want to be a part of that again and hopefully help Europe win on U.S. soil again."

"I'll be here regardless"

Rahm will be one of 19 LIV Golf players in the field at next week's Open. 

Several PGA Tour stars are getting some links practice in at the Scottish Open this week whereas LIV are playing the notoriously difficult Valderrama. 

Rahm complained 12 months ago that playing Valderrama one week before an Open wasn't ideal preparation. 

The golfer, and his LIV peer and former Open champion Cameron Smith, said they wanted to open talks with the league to try and tweak the schedule in the coming years. 

"It's hard to get ready for links golf unless you're in links golf," Rahm said.

"But luckily this is a challenging golf course so the mindset you can work on in that sense. 

"It is always windy so you do get to play in the wind before going to the Open.

"It all depends on your preference. I do agree if you can play a links week before a links tournament it's going to be great. 

"However, if you want to play a tournament and practice. But it's whatever the league needs to do to play a better schedule, and if that means playing in June, I'll come to play in Spain whenever they want to. 

"Whenever they can make it happen, I'll be here regardless."