Jon Rahm played a significant role in last year’s Ryder Cup at Marco Simone, winning three points for Team Europe en route to their wire-to-wire victory over their American counterparts.
But his move to LIV Golf last December changed the prospects of his Ryder Cup future. To represent Europe in this biennial competition, a player must maintain DP World Tour membership and to do so, a player must compete in four DP World Tour events annually. Rahm already competed in the Olympics, which counts as an event in the DP World Tour’s eyes, unlike the PGA Tour, meaning he needs to play in three tournaments this fall.
Yet, because of his commitment to LIV, the DP World Tour levied substantial fines against Rahm. Rahm then said that he would not pay those penalties, adding that he had entered into the Spanish Open and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St. Andrews. Rahm also plans to compete in Andalucía later in October, which would fulfill his four tournament minimum.
The DP World Tour then ruled Rahm ineligible, but the two-time major winner filed an appeal on early Thursday. Rahm’s potential fines—and ineligbility—will be on hold until the official appeal can be heard and reviewed by an independent delegation, per Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated. That, of course, clears the way for Rahm to compete on the European circuit this fall.
“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,” the DP World Tour said in a statement.
Luke Donald can now exhale.
Donald, who led the Europeans in Rome last year, will captain the Europeans again next year at Bethpage Black, the Long Island course that will prove to be a hostile environment for the visitors.
“Obviously, from my standpoint very happy to hear [Rahm] made that decision [to appeal],” Donald said after his opening round at the Irish Open at Royal County Down.
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“I know he was sitting on the fence a little bit, and glad that he’s done that and being allowing to play and create some time for things in the world of golf to hopefully figure themselves out.”
On Wednesday, ahead of LIV Golf’s event in Chicago, Rahm said that it would be a “disservice” to the game of golf if the DP World Tour prohibited him from playing in his national open. He also dug his heels in, stubbornly saying he would not pay the fines, despite the fact that the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) signed Rahm to a lucrative contract worth more than $400 million to join LIV.
“I’m glad Jon decided to appeal and he can play his events in which he wants to play and be eligible,” Donald added.
“I know the Ryder Cup means so much to him, and I’m sure that was a massive factor in his decision.”
Donald also said that he has been in contact with Rahm about the prospects of the 2025 Ryder Cup. He added that the Spaniard disagrees with the DP World Tour about the penalties levied against him.
“He has his thoughts and he doesn’t agree with the fines and paying fines, especially for events that he would never have played on the DP World Tour,” Donald said of Rahm.
“But those rules are the rules, and they were certainly in place when he signed with LIV. It wasn’t like they changed them after the fact. You could argue that they softened them a little bit with being able to appeal the process, and that’s, from what I understand, gives the players more time for things to work out in the world of golf.”
The fact that an appeal process exists is a welcome sight for players such as Rahm. Tyrrell Hatton and Adrian Meronk, fellow LIV players, also took advantage of this opportunity. They too hope to make the Ryder Cup team next fall and re-create that special bond that has united the European team for decades.
“We create a very good bond in Rome and that’s still there,” Donald said.
“I don’t have any worries. The first issue was to try to get Jon eligible, Tyrrell and some of those guys eligible so I had the chance to pick them on my team. The whole camaraderie and culture, that can be worked on next year. I’m still talking to the guys within the group individually and I think our culture, we always figure a way to come together and play for more than ourselves. We play for each other.”
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.
