Jon Rahm is convinced he will be cleared to play in the next Ryder Cup despite his ugly row with the DP World Tour.
The Spaniard risks being ruled ineligible for the 2027 contest at Adare Manor over his refusal to pay seven-figure fines in the wake of his December 2023 switch to the LIV circuit.
A peace deal offered by the DP World Tour in February suggested an easy way out of the feud, with the Tour willing to cease fining LIV rebels each time they play an event that conflicts with their own schedule.
In return, Rahm and a cohort that included Tyrrell Hatton were required to pay up any sanctions accrued to date, drop their legal challenges and commit to playing six DP events per season.
Although Hatton and seven other LIV golfers jumped at the terms, Rahm declined – he dropped his legal appeal, but in a dangerous game of brinksmanship he is yet to settle a bill worth an estimated £2.5million and has previously stated he is unwilling to play six tournaments, when non-LIV golfers only need to turn up at four to keep their membership.
It has left him in a precarious place – until those fines are paid, he will not be allowed to tee up on the DP World Tour and if he fails to clock at least four starts, he won’t be allowed to play on Luke Donald’s side in 2027.
Jon Rahm (third from top right), is convinced he will be cleared to play in the Ryder Cup despite his ongoing row with the DP World Tour
Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and a variety of Tour sources are among those who have been surprised by the former world No 1’s stubbornness in the matter.
However, Rahm is convinced that there will be a path beyond the maze.
Speaking ahead of the Masters, the 2023 winner of the green jacket said: ‘We keep talking about the DP World Tour and trying to figure out a solution that works best. I didn’t think that going the legal route and going to court was good for anybody. So I have faith in us and the DP World Tour we’re going to find a good solution for both of us.’
Asked if he was confident of playing at Adare Manor, Rahm said: ‘Yes.’
When pushed if he was willing to compromise, Rahm added: ‘I think I already have. We’ve already told them many times.’
The former world No 1 was vague on what such a compromise might look like, but did proceed to name six DP World Tour events he would like to play. That was taken as a positive sign by some Tour sources, but as yet Rahm has made no public commitment to paying his fines. Until he does, the stalemate will continue.
Rahm said: ‘I think this is not the week to be talking about this, with this being the first major of the year and how important this is for the game of golf in general and for all of us. (But) we keep talking to them, and we keep trying to negotiate.
‘I have given in quite a bit in a few things, which I think I talked about on my last press conference. We’re going to work it out. It’s going to work out. As of now, the DP World Tour is doing what they need to do and following the channels they need to follow, but I’m confident this will be sorted out before I tee it up in September.’
The September reference concerns the Irish Open, for which he is currently ineligible pending the payment of fines. Rahm added: ‘I’m not planning to play until September. So that’s a bit of a positive. I do intend to continue to support the DP World Tour. I’ve been very thankful to be a member. I’ve been very thankful to support the Tour and play some wonderful events.
‘The Irish Open has been very good to me, and I would love to make a return. Wentworth has been fantastic every single year, the Spanish Open, maybe even the Dunhill. We have some events like the French Open and the Omega. Those are events that I’d love to have the chance to play.’
It remains to be seen if he can.
