Rory McIlroy has stated that it is ‘a shame’ that Jon Rahm is the only LIV Golf player unwilling to accept the terms of a DP World Tour deal. The deal aims to eliminate future fines.
McIlroy also dismissed concerns that Rahm might not be eligible for the Ryder Cup team, stating, ‘The Ryder Cup is bigger than any one person.’
Rahm’s Refusal and Concerns
Rahm’s future participation in the Ryder Cup matches was brought into question after he refused the terms of the European tour’s offer. The terms included paying previous fines for not obtaining a release to play LIV Golf events, dropping any appeals, and adding two tournaments to the minimum of four required for DP World Tour membership.
Rahm stated that the DP World Tour was ‘extorting players’ by forcing them to play two additional tournaments. He indicated that he would have signed the deal if it only required paying fines, dropping appeals, and playing the minimum four events.
‘I just don’t like the situation,’ Rahm said. ‘I think we should be able to freely play where we want and have the choice to play where we want and not be dictated what we do.’
McIlroy’s Perspective on the Deal
McIlroy believes the DP World Tour deal is ‘a really generous deal’. He added that it was ‘much softer’ than what the PGA Tour required of Brooks Koepka to return.
McIlroy highlighted that the European tour is limited in what it can do to accommodate LIV Golf players while retaining its membership rules. He stated that to play on the Ryder Cup, one must be a member of the DP World Tour and abide by its regulations, including fines for playing LIV Golf events without a release when the DP World Tour has a tournament.
McIlroy needled Rahm by saying, ‘I’m sure Jon doesn’t want to go to South Africa next week’ for a LIV event.
Acceptance by Other LIV Golf Players
Tyrrell Hatton and seven other Europeans who play for Saudi-funded LIV Golf have agreed to the conditions set by the DP World Tour. The DP World Tour would assist in deciding which tournaments these players participate in, with the aim of boosting the tournaments on the schedule.
McIlroy said, ‘Look, there’s a reason eight of the nine guys took that deal, right? I think it’s a really good deal. Yeah, obviously Jon doesn’t think so, and he’s obviously well within his rights to think that way, but I just don’t see what more the European tour can do to accommodate these guys to retain their membership.’
McIlroy stated that the DP World Tour is within its rights to protect itself as a members organisation.