Jon Rahm’s Ryder Cup future is in doubt once more after European golf bosses tightened their regulations around players hopping between tours.
In a move that could prove decisive to Rahm’s existing deliberations over quitting LIV, sources say the DP World Tour has recently warned members of both circuits, like Rahm, of the likelihood of fines next season if they tee up in conflicting events.
Those sanctions were parked in 2026 for a cohort of LIV rebels, Rahm included, which was contingent on them agreeing to settle fines already accrued.
In Rahm’s case, that meant coughing up on a bill of close to £2million that he reluctantly paid after an ugly two-year stand-off in May, but having previously accused the DP World Tour of ‘extortion’, it will be intriguing to see how he reacts to the reintroduction of the measure in 2027.
It could be a moot point if he quits LIV at the conclusion of their 2026 season, with the Spaniard believed to be exploring the possibility of walking away two years before his contract expires.
Departing early would mean forfeiting a significant chunk of the £300m signing bonus he received in late 2023, but Rahm is acutely aware that the LIV of 2027, minus Saudi Arabian funding, will be a bleak proposition.
Jon Rahm is exploring the possibility of walking away from LIV two years before deal ends
If he chooses to stay with LIV, which at best will operate next year with only 10 tournaments and vastly reduced prize funds, he would risk six-figure fines from the DP World Tour each time he plays on the rebel circuit.
Much would then depend on him agreeing to pay the sanctions – not a foregone conclusion based on the aggression of his past objections – because a refusal could cost him his DP World Tour membership and eligibility for the 2027 Ryder Cup.
For LIV, keeping Rahm is potentially decisive to their hopes of finalising a provisional agreement with private equity backers to carry on beyond this season.
