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Spanish superstar Jon Rahm is one of the biggest stars for Team Europe in the Ryder Cup. But if neither he nor the DP World Tour gets their way, Rahm may be absent from the team at Adare Manor in 2027.
Rahm, who currently plays for the LIV Golf Tour, would be forced to make six appearances on the European Tour each season and repay fines if they hopes to rejoin the tour at any point in the future. Additionally, the DP World Tour would be allowed to choose two of the six events in which the players appear.
Rahm’s European teammate Tyrrell Hatton and seven others accepted the deal. But the fiery Spaniard did not.
Jon Rahm Slams DP World Tour Over Proposed Deal Which He Says Extorts Players
“I don’t know what game they’re trying to play right now, but it just seems like in a way they’re using our impact in tournaments and fining us and trying to benefit both ways from what we have to offer,” Rahm said on Tuesday. “[It’s] just in a way they’re extorting players like [me] and young players that have nothing to do with the politics of the game.
“So, I don’t like the situation, and I’m not going to agree to that.”
There is room for wiggle room in his stance, however. Rahm said that he’d sign an agreement with the tour if he were only required to play four events each season. However, that deal is not currently on the table.
“I’ve always been a dual member,” Rahm said. “Never once have I been asked for a release to play either one of those tours. We’ve never submitted a release. So why is it now that we need to be offering this and there’s all these penalties? I understand why they’re doing it. What’s the problem?
“I just don’t like the situation. I think we should be able to freely play where we want and have the choice to play where we want and not (dictate) what we do, especially myself. I can’t speak for others, only myself.”
On one hand, Rahm makes a point about the change being relatively sudden.
On the other hand, LIV and the DP World Tour are competing entities. It’s easy to see why the European Tour would want some sort of restrictions or control.
If Rahm can’t understand that, he’s either being naive or intellectually dishonest. Either way, neither side looks ready to budge for the other.