Jon Rahm finally appeals LIV Golf fines to give himself huge Ryder Cup boost
Jon Rahm has lodged an appeal over the fines he has accrued by playing on LIV Golf, meaning he can compete in DP World Tour events and keep his card for the time being
Jon Rahm's Ryder Cup hopes are back on track after he launched a last-ditch appeal over huge fines accrued since joining LIV Golf.
The Spaniard gave European captain Luke Donald a serious cause for concern earlier this week by vowing not to settle his hefty fines with the DP World Tour, which is key to maintaining his membership and thus his Ryder Cup eligibility. Rahm, who was instrumental during Europe's victory in Rome with a stellar record of three points from four matches, now faces a race against time.
Despite being a linchpin for Europe last year, Rahm is at risk due to the rule that players need to compete in at least four DP World Tour events each season to be eligible for Ryder Cup selection. However, Rahm has only played in one qualifying event in 2024 – the Olympics in Paris – due to his commitments with the breakaway LIV Golf series.
As the clock ticks for the two-time major winner to meet his obligations and retain his tour card, he made his opinions crystal clear on Wednesday. "I'm not a big fan of the fines. I don't intend to pay the fines and we keep trying to have a discussion with [the DP World Tour] about how we can make this happen," Rahm said ahead of LIV Golf's Individual Championship finale in Chicago this weekend.
Rahm's refusal almost cost him his DP World Tour membership, but he's now back on track after lodging an appeal against fines on Thursday morning. This move allows him to continue playing and meet the four-tournament requirement, starting at the Spanish Open later this month, with the entry deadline looming on Thursday evening.
Were Rahm to miss the Spanish Open, it would be very difficult for him to reach the four-tournament threshold by the end of the calendar year, so his appeal is a major development in the context of him playing in the Ryder Cup next September.
A spokesman for the DP World Tour confirmed: "Jon Rahm has a pending appeal against sanctions imposed on him and in accordance with the DP World Tour's regulations, he is eligible to participate in the Acciona Open de Espana presented by Madrid later this month."
Rahm's decision to challenge the penalties aligns him with Britain's Tyrrell Hatton and Poland's Adrian Meronk, who also jumped ship to LIV Golf earlier this season and are contesting their fines. Their cases are currently on hold, awaiting review by an independent panel – a process that could extend into next year.
If Rahm manages to hit the four-tournament mark by year-end, he will keep his card and remain in contention for a captain's pick for the Ryder Cup next year. The event will see Team USA take on the Europeans at Bethpage Black in New York.
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