Jon Rahm's participation in next year's Ryder Cup remains up in the air as the Spaniard refuses to pay a fine imposed on him by the DP World Tour following his move to LIV Golf Club.
Since switching to the Saudi-backed LIV golf circuit last year, the three-time DP World Tour Championship winner has been hit with fines and bans for playing in LIV Championships that conflict with DP World Tour events.
To maintain his DP World Tour membership (a requirement for Ryder Cup eligibility), Rahm must play in at least four regular DP World Tour events per season. So far, the only event he is eligible to play is the Olympics.
Ahead of the LIV Golf Individual Championship, Rahm confirmed he would play the Spanish Open, Dunhill Links Championship and Andalucia Masters, but the DP World Tour has already reduced his chances of playing in those events.
A DP World Tour spokesman said: “Jon has been penalised for violating the DP World Tour's conflicting event regulations.”
“He is ineligible to compete on the DP World Tour until these pending sanctions are resolved.”
Rahm remains adamant he will not pay the fine, telling reporters in Chicago: “Still in communication with the DP World Tour, I plan to go to Spain.
“I played. We played a long time ago. Whether they let me play or not is another matter. I don't like fines very much.
“I think I've been blunt about that. I'm not going to pay the fine and we've been trying to talk to them about how we can make that happen.
“I have said many times that I am not playing the Spanish Open for the glory or anything. I consider it my duty to play in Spanish golf and I also want to play in Sotogrande.
“At that point, not allowing me to play would almost be a disservice not only to me but to Spanish golf, so, yes, that’s why we tried to talk to them and make it happen.
“I would also like to play in the Dunhill Golf Championship. A good friend of mine invited me and John is a great ambassador for the game of golf. I would love to play in all of these events.”
His LIV Golf teammate Tyrrell Hatton recently played in the British Masters after appealing his DP World Tour sanctions. However, Rahm has yet to do the same.
The registration deadline for the Spanish Open ends today, and Rahm faces a choice: pay the fine or appeal if he hopes to play in his hometown event.
If he fails to meet the requirement to play four regular DP World Tour events, he will risk losing his place in next year's Ryder Cup – a major setback for captain Luke Donald and Team Europe.
