Jon Rahm explains why he has not signed LIV release to play on DP World Tour: ‘I’ll play four tournaments, not six’
By Marko Tankosic
SME News Balkan. The former world No. 1, who now competes on the LIV Golf circuit, has refused to accept the current conditions required to secure a release to play DP World Tour events without facing financial penalties. Unless a compromise is reached, his participation in the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland could be at serious risk.
Rahm Rejects Six-Event Requirement
Speaking ahead of LIV Golf Hong Kong, Jon Rahm made it clear he will not agree to the DP World Tour’s demand that he compete in a minimum of six events, including two designated tournaments.
“I don’t like what they are doing with the contract they’re asking us to sign,” Rahm said. “Lower it to four events, like the minimum says, and I’ll sign tonight. I just refuse to play six events.”
Rahm’s fines for previously breaching DP World Tour membership regulations by appearing in LIV events without permission are believed to total around £2.5 million. Unlike several other players, he has no intention of paying those penalties under the current framework.
Why Rahm Was Excluded from LIV Releases
The DP World Tour recently granted conditional releases to eight members, including Tyrrell Hatton, allowing them to compete in LIV Golf events without further sanctions.
However, Rahm was notably absent from that list.
The players who received releases agreed to pay outstanding fines in full, withdraw any appeals, and commit to additional DP World Tour appearances and media obligations. Rahm, by contrast, has rejected what he sees as unfair demands.
He described the situation as one where the Tour is attempting to “benefit both ways” — fining players while still leveraging their presence to boost tournaments.
Ryder Cup 2027 Eligibility in Doubt
Rahm’s stance has sparked fresh questions about his availability for the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland. Under current regulations, European players must maintain DP World Tour membership to be eligible for Team Europe.
Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy previously suggested Rahm and Hatton should pay their fines to demonstrate their commitment to representing Europe.
“We said we would pay to play in Ryder Cups,” McIlroy commented earlier this year. “There’s two guys that can prove it.”
Rahm responded firmly, arguing the situation is more complex than it appears.
“That statement would make more sense if all 12 of us were being asked to pay, not just the two of us,” Rahm said. “I’ll gladly pay to go play in the Ryder Cup. I’m not willing to pay to still be a member of the DP World Tour under these conditions.”
Growing Divide in Men’s Golf
The standoff highlights the continuing tensions between traditional tours and LIV Golf, with top players caught in the middle of contractual and eligibility disputes.
As it stands, no agreement has been reached. If negotiations remain deadlocked, one of Europe’s most influential players could miss out on the 2027 Ryder Cup — a scenario that would significantly reshape Team Europe’s prospects.
With the golf world watching closely, the coming months may prove decisive in determining whether Rahm can reconcile his LIV commitments with his Ryder Cup ambitions.
