For Jon Rahm, the 2023 Ryder Cup was blissful, and it didn’t come without him dedicating his best gameplay to the European team. The Spaniard earned three points and contributed to the European team’s big win of 16½ to 11½ at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club. But for a golfer who has performed so well and donned the blue and gold, the chances of getting into the 2025 Ryder Cup European team aren’t easy and are definitely not in his hands, thanks to his loyalty to LIV Golf.

Rahm chose to join LIV Golf just over a year ago and, in return, faced fines and a suspension from the DP World Tour for participating in “conflicting” LIV Golf events. To maintain his Tour membership and stay eligible for the 2025 Ryder Cup, Rahm appealed the penalties when he returned to the European circuit in Spain last September. Talking about this in January of this season, Rahm said, “I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, but I can tell you my plan is to be on that team at Bethpage.”

However, as we near the Bethpage event, Jon Rahm has slyly—once again—placed the responsibility in the hands of the European Ryder Cup team captain, Luke Donald. Currently active at Quail Hollow for the PGA Championship, Jon Rahm faced the ultimate Ryder Cup question: “Has Luke said to you, ‘You’re in my team anyway’?”

Rahm replied, “That’s a question for Luke. It’s his team. Hopefully I can qualify, and we don’t have to question it. I would like to think that personally I am, but it’s not up to me.” Rahm discussed the effect of Spanish golfers, such as Seve Ballesteros and Sergio Garcia on the Ryder Cup, however, tried to avoid the actual question. Picking on it, the interviewer once again asked, “Has he said to you, don’t worry, you’re in, in effect?” Not taking the bait once again, Rahm confidently replied, “You’d have to ask Luke that question. It’s not up to me to say.” 

Considering Jon Rahm’s current situation, the responsibility might as well be in Luke Donald’s hands. Rahm’s Ryder Cup appeal hearing will likely happen after the September match; however, he can still play if he qualifies or is picked by Donald. Since he has few chances to play on the DP World Tour, the Spaniard needs to perform well in the majors and in some regular events.

Rahm is now in 29th place in the qualification standings, behind Dan Bradbury, John Parry, and Paul Waring, among others. There are only six automatic spots available. Like in 2023, Donald will choose the last six players to complete his team as Europe tries to achieve its first win on U.S. soil since 2012. Until he receives a nod from Donald to play alongside Rory McIlroy & co., he has Molinari and his gameplay on his side.

Jon Rahm has secured the European Team’s Ryder Cup vice-captain on his side

One of the three vice-captains of the Ryder Cup European Team, Edoardo Molinari, has shown faith in Jon Rahm despite Rahm’s concerning finishes in recent times. Rahm has placed in the top 20 in every event he has played in the Saudi-backed golf league and has won two individual titles. However, he has not won any tournaments this season. Rahm also mentioned that last year’s major tournaments were disappointing for him because he finished T45 at the Masters, missed the cut at the PGA Championship, and finished T7 at The Open.

Despite this, the Italian golfer is confident about Rahm’s chances in the European team. Talking to Sky Sports Golf Podcast, Molinari said, “Jon loves the Ryder Cup so much that he will probably round into form later this summer – I’m pretty sure about that. Every year you feel like you have seven or eight guys that are easy to predict, and then you have a couple ones that are way left field. I think it’s going to be the same this time around.”

The Spaniard has taken on a key role in the last three editions of the biennial match, helping the blue and gold team secure victories in 2018 and 2023. It will be hard imagining a Luke Donald team without Jon Rahm.