Rahm’s Ryder Cup future in doubt amid tour row

February 21, 2026 No Comments

Rahm’s Ryder Cup future in doubt amid tour rowImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Jon Rahm overcame Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson to win the Masters in 2023ByAdwaidh RajanBBC Sport journalistPublished37 minutes agoComments

Jon Rahm’s Ryder Cup future remains uncertain after he was not included in a group of eight LIV golfers who have settled a long‑running dispute with the DP World Tour, leaving the Spaniard at risk of missing next year’s event in Ireland.

England’s Tyrrell Hatton, however, was among the eight who were granted conditional releases by the DP World Tour to participate in LIV Golf events this year, allowing them to retain memberships and remain eligible for Ryder Cup selection.

Rahm and Hatton were fined for competing in LIV events without permission while remaining members of the European-based tour.

Both appealed against the sanctions in 2024, which allowed them to play in enough events to retain their membership and be eligible for last year’s Ryder Cup victory over the United States.

Hatton, along with Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, David Puig and Elvis Smylie, will now face no disciplinary action if they meet strict conditions.

McKibbin given release from DP World Tour to play LIV

They include paying outstanding fines reportedly in the region of £2.5m, withdrawing all pending appeals and taking part in stipulated DP World Tour tournaments.

“The releases apply for the 2026 season only and they are not precedent-setting,” the DP World Tour mentioned.

Rahm, a former world number one and two-time major winner, reportedly refused the conditions and chose to pursue his appeal against the sanctions.

European players are ineligible for Ryder Cup selection if they lose their DP World Tour membership.

Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cam Smith chose to remain with the Saudi Arabian-backed LIV Golf series rather than rejoining the PGA Tour last month.

The Spaniard was one of Europe’s key players at the Ryder Cup last year as they beat the US 15-13 to retain the trophy, but finished the season winless for the first time since turning professional in 2016.

The next Ryder Cup takes place in September 2027 at Ireland’s Adare Manor.