Jon Rahm makes last-ditch effort to revive his Ryder Cup prospects

Jon Rahm has made a last-ditch attempt to remain to remain eligible for the Ryder after appealing sanctions imposed by the DP World Tour for playing competing LIV Golf events.

Despite entering the Spanish Open, Dunhill Links Championship and Andalucia Masters, the 29-year-old was in danger of not being able to compete at the DP World Tour tournaments after declaring he would not be paying fines accumulated throughout the year.

With the three-time DP World Tour Championship winner required to play three more regular DP World Tour tournaments this year to retain his membership and remain eligible for the Ryder Cup, Rahm’s only other option was to appeal the sanctions.

His LIV Golf teammate, Tyrrell Hatton, played the British Masters after doing just that last month.

Rahm has now followed suit, appealing the fines just before entries into the Spanish Open closed on Thursday.

"Jon Rahm has a pending appeal against sanctions imposed on him and in accordance with the DP World Tour's regulations, he is eligible to participate in the Open de Espana presented later this month," a spokesperson for the DP World Tour said.

Before making his appeal, Rahm had told reporters on Wednesday: “Still talking to the DP World Tour, I intend to play in Spain.

“I’m entered into the tournament. We entered a long time ago. Whether they let me play or not is a different thing. I’m not a big fan of the fines.

“I think I’ve been outspoken about that. I don’t intend to pay the fines, and we keep trying to have a discussion with them about how we can make this happen.

“I’ve said many times, I don’t go to the Spanish Open for the glory or anything else. I think it’s my duty to Spanish golf to be there, and I also want to play in Sotogrande.

“At that point, it would almost be doing not only me but Spanish golf a disservice by not letting me play, so yeah, that’s why we’re trying to talk to them and make that happen.

“I would also love to play the Dunhill. I have a good friend who asked me to play, and Johan has been a great, great ambassador for the game of golf. I would love to be able to play all those events.”

Now that the two-time Major champion is cleared to compete in DP World Tour events for the rest of the season, there’s still a chance he could qualify for the DP World Tour Play-Offs in the UAE.

The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is open to the top 70 golfers on the Race to Dubai Rankings, while the DP World Tour Championship invites the leading 50.

Currently ranked 118th, Rahm has the opportunity to climb the season-long standings with strong performances in Spain and Scotland.

A good run could see him secure a place in the final two Rolex Series events of the season.