Jon Rahm Plans First Abu Dhabi and Dubai Starts in Years

Jon Rahm said this week he intends to play the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and DP World Tour Championship this season, two DP World Tour stops he has largely avoided since 2023, as he laid out his fall plans at the Amgen Irish Open.

What did Rahm say about his schedule?

Rahm confirmed he will tee it up at this week's Irish Open and next week's BMW PGA Championship before adding the two Middle East events. "I'm planning on playing Abu Dhabi and Dubai, depending on what goes on in that part of the world," he said, a reference to the ongoing regional instability that could still affect the tournaments' schedules.

Why do those two events matter for Rahm?

Rahm is a three-time DP World Tour Championship winner, with victories in 2017, 2019 and 2022, but withdrew from the event in both 2024 and 2025 during an extended break from competitive golf. He last appeared there in 2023, finishing tied for fifth. He has never played the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, which moved to a November date in 2024. Two tournaments Rahm skipped for three years are suddenly back on his calendar. Earlier this year he settled outstanding fines with the DP World Tour, a move that also restored his eligibility to qualify for the 2027 Ryder Cup.

What about his home Spanish Open?

Rahm's plans beyond Dubai are complicated by his family: he and his wife are expecting their fourth child, with a due date that could land close to October's Spanish Open. He said he would prioritize being home for the birth over playing his national open if the two conflict. His longer-term future remains unsettled, with reports suggesting LIV Golf sources expect him to eventually leave the circuit, though nothing has been confirmed.

Two tournaments Rahm skipped for three years are suddenly back on his calendar.