Jon Rahm Commits, And It Might Have Saved His Ryder Cup Chances

At the 11th hour, it appears that Jon Rahm will be playing in next year’s Ryder Cup.

Just before Thursday’s deadline for entering the DP World Tour’s Spanish Open, Rahm filed an appeal on the sanctions that the DPWT imposed on him for playing LIV Golf events while a member of what used to be known as the European Tour.

The fines that the DPWT levies equal just under $100,000 per LIV event that a member plays when it conflicts with a DPWT tournament. Rahm said this week that he has no intention of paying that fine, which would be around $1.17 million for the 12 conflicting events in 2024.

Jon Rahm is hell bent on playing on the DP Tour again & specifically the Spanish Open. He says, “I think its my duty to Spanish golf to be there.” + “They (DP Tour) would almost be doing not only me but Spanish golf a disservice by not letting me play.” #LIVGolf #DPTour pic.twitter.com/JeRlyh3mzM

— Chris McKee (@mrmckee) September 12, 2024

But an appeal makes him eligible to play DPWT events without having to pay the fines. 

Per the new European Team Ryder Cup rules, a player has to participate in four DPWT events in the qualifying period in order to be considered for the Ryder Cup team. The Olympics counted as Rahm’s first event, and now the Spaniard will be playing in next month’s Spanish Open, Andalucia Masters, and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship to qualify. 

Explaining the Jon Rahm situation:

– The DP World Tour fines its members an estimated £75,000/$98,000 if they play a conflicting LIV Golf event.

– Of LIV Golf’s 14 events in 2024, 12 conflict with DPWT events. That would result in a £900,000/$1.17 million estimated total fine… pic.twitter.com/FhozCZbFIp

— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) September 11, 2024

The news obviously excited European captain Luke Donald:

“Obviously from my standpoint, very happy to hear he made that decision. I know he was sitting on the fence a little bit, and glad that he’s done that and being allowed to play and create some time for things in the world of golf to hopefully figure themselves out.”

Tyrrell Hatton and Adrian Meronk, also in their first years on the LIV tour, used the same appeal strategy to play in the required DPWT events to also be eligible for next year’s event, which will be held at Bethpage Black in New York next September.

Cover Image via WSYR