The DP World Tour has dominated Jon Rahm ineligible except he pays the excellent fines levied in opposition to him because of his affiliation with LIV Golf. That places his Ryder Cup prospects in peril, too.
Rahm, who’s in Chicago for a LIV occasion this week, stated he hopes to play in three DP World Tour occasions this fall. Two might be in his native Spain, and the opposite will doubtless be the Alfred Dunhill Hyperlinks at St. Andrews. But, in line with Matt Chivers of Nationwide Membership Golfer, the DP World Tour won’t let Rahm play in these tournaments.
However Rahm insists he’ll play in Spain and never pay the penalties.
“Properly, I’m entered into the [Spanish Open]. We entered a very long time in the past,” Rahm stated Wednesday.
“Whether or not they let me play or not is a distinct factor. I’m not a giant fan of the fines. I believe I’ve been outspoken about that. I don’t intend to pay the fines, and we preserve attempting to have a dialogue with them about how we will make this occur.”
Rahm added that if the DP World Tour forbade him from taking part in in his nationwide open, it could be a “disservice” to the sport.
“I don’t go to the Spanish Open for the glory or the rest,” Rahm stated.
“I believe it’s my responsibility to Spanish golf to be there, and I additionally wish to play in Sotogrande.”
To keep up DP World Tour membership and, due to this fact, be eligible to play on the European Ryder Cup staff, a participant should compete in 4 DP World Tour occasions per yr. Rahm already competed within the Olympics, which counts as an occasion within the DP World Tour’s eyes, not like the PGA Tour.
So, to meet that requirement, Rahm solely must play in three occasions this fall.
“Sotogrande is the city subsequent to Valderrama, in order that’s the Andalucía Open or Masters, I believe is the title, and yeah, I might go Madrid, so Open España, Dunhill, week off, Sotogrande, and I wish to play all,” Rahm defined.
“I believe I may be entered into each of them. We entered these occasions, and I wish to play. That’s my intent, is to play.”
Qualifying for Bethpage Black has already begun for the European staff, with the Betfred British Masters kicking off the race two weeks in the past with 1,500 Ryder Cup factors up for grabs. Tyrrell Hatton, one other LIV participant, teed it up at The Belfry then, however a dialogue surrounding Hatton and any excellent charges he could have had didn’t come to mild. Whether or not he paid them off so he may play at The Belfry is unknown, however presumably, he did.
However, the DP World Tour and Rahm have dug their heels in. Who is aware of who will blink first, however contemplating Rahm acquired north of $400 million to affix LIV final December, he has the coffers to repay these fines. However now, 9 months after becoming a member of the Saudi-backed circuit, Rahm faces a reasonably fascinating scenario. He must pay to play on subsequent yr’s Ryder Cup staff—not not like how LIV paid Rahm to affix their league.
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying Via. Remember to take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as nicely.
