Jon Rahm remains unsure what the future holds in terms of his relationship with the DP World Tour, having been handed a string of fines and suspensions after signing with LIV Golf
Jon Rahm has disclosed that he hasn’t coughed up any fines levelled against him by the DP World Tour subsequent to his shift to LIV Golf.
Despite being eager for a comeback to the European circuit, Rahm signed up with the Saudi-backed series LIV Golf last December for the 2024 season bagging a neat £450million. This move added his name to the list of many other DP World Tour stars who faced fines and suspensions for pitting in ‘contradictory LIV events.
Several of Rahm’s LIV comrades chose to call it quits with the formerly-called European Tour following these penalties; nevertheless, Rahm carries on as a member, harbouring hopes of competing in the approaching Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black next year.
Qualification conditions require him to square off any outstanding fines with the Tour, yet it is uncertain where the double-major champion currently stands.
When questioned about his position regarding the Ryder Cup prior to the start of this week’s Open Championship, Rahm confessed, “We’re still in conversations with the Tour.”
He continued, “I haven’t been able to play any Tour events, so yeah, we’re going to have to sort it out… I haven’t paid [fines] yet, but again, I just don’t know when I’m going to play.” Despite his transition to LIV, Rahm keeps firm his plans of participating in the Spanish Open his homeland tournament later in the year, albeit, the forthcoming birth of their child as expected by wife Kelley might interfere with these arrangements.
He said: “I want to tee it up hopefully at the Spanish Open. At this point, I’m so still waiting on what might happen with my wife and daughter that I don’t know if I’ll be able to play or not. So my fall is still a little bit of a question mark when it comes to playing golf.
Jon Rahm was fined for competing in LIV Golf events (
Getty Images)
Rahm added: “I just don’t know when I’m going to play. It could very well be a chance because it hasn’t been the easiest pregnancy, that I just simply don’t have the chance to tee off. My mind is not thinking on that right now.”
His former Ryder Cup teammate and fellow LIV star Lee Westwood revealed he owes over £700k in fines to the DP World Tour, but is yet to pay his penalty. Sergio Garcia, another golfer caught up in the fines fiasco, has a bill of £698k which he tried to settle last year in an effort to secure a spot on the 2023 Ryder Cup team.
Both Rahm and the DP World Tour are undoubtedly eager to resolve the situation, given Rahm’s significant contribution to Team Europe’s recent successes.
The Spaniard was a pivotal figure in last year’s victory against Team USA in Italy, delivering an unbeaten performance at Marco Simone and earning three points from his four matches.