LONDON, United Kingdom — Despite having a chance to win the Race to Dubai for the second time in three years, Jon Rahm has backed out of the DP World Tour Championship.
Rahm, who finished third on the money list in 2019, behind Open champion Collin Morikawa and Billy Horschel, will not compete in the European Tour’s season-ending event.
“I have made the painful choice not to travel to Dubai next week after lengthy consultations with my staff,” Rahm stated in a statement. “The strains of a long season with many ups and downs have sapped my energy.” I believe I need to spend quality time with my family while recharging my batteries.
“I’d want to take this opportunity to wish DP World and the European Tour the best of luck for the season-ending event, which is always a wonderful competition.”
Rahm, who is presently ranked No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking, earned his first major win at the US Open in June, just 15 days after a positive COVID-19 test forced him to withdraw from the Memorial Tournament, where he was leading by six shots after 54 holes.
He also missed the Tokyo Olympics when a second positive test was returned just before he was scheduled to fly to Japan. In Europe’s Ryder Cup defeat at Whistling Straits, he was the leading performance with three and a half points from five matches.
