DP World Tour Reveals a Way Rahm and Hatton Could Eligible for 2025 Ryder Cup

A big point of contention for a number of European players who joined LIV Golf since it began in 2022 was their eligibility in future Ryder Cup tournaments.

While players like Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, and others were not allowed to join Team Europe for the 2023 edition, it turns out that was more because of an action they took.

DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings said Friday that there are no changes to the qualifying criteria for a player to join the team for the 2025 tournament at Bethpage Black in New York.

That could pave the way for players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton to be a part of the team, which would make Rory McIlroy an extremely happy camper. 

🚨🇪🇺☑️ #NEW: LIV Golf’s Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton will be eligible to play for Team Europe at next year’s Ryder Cup and could also play events on the DP World Tour to retain membership as well, CEO Guy Kinnings said. pic.twitter.com/xGF173aOKX

— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) April 26, 2024

When going into more detail, Kinnings said that players who are still a part of the DP World Tour but play in a LIV event on the same weekend are subject to fines and suspensions.

But if those fines and suspensions are served, they remain fully eligible to participate in the Ryder Cup.

“There has been a slight misconception,” Kinnings said.

“There is no reason why players who have taken LIV membership and maintain membership of the DP World Tour could not qualify or be available for selection. It’s not a loophole. They are the rules we have always had.”

“Those are the rules we’re just going to continue to apply. They’ve been tested. I don’t think it requires a change. He [Rahm] has to play four tournaments. When those suspensions are served, it will still allow him to play in certain events.”

The difference for Garcia and the 2023 contingent is that they resigned their DP World Tour memberships in order to not have to pay the fines or serve the suspensions that were levied. 

So if Rahm and Hatton pay the fines and compete in four tournaments this fall and winter, they would be eligible for Team Europe next year. 

That’s certainly good news for anyone wearing blue and gold and troubling news for potential U.S. team captain Tiger Woods.

Cover Image via X