Jon Rahm Rejects Ryder Cup Amid Heated LIV Golf Dispute, Stands Firm Against Multi-Million Pound Fine

JON RAHM has turned his back on the Ryder Cup, by withdrawing his appeal against his punishment for joining LIV – and leaving £2.25 million in fines unpaid.

Refusing to fork out for those fines – and to play six events as a condition of regaining Tour membership – means the Spaniard has made himself ineligible for Luke Donald’s 2027 line-up.

Eight of Rahm’s fellow LIV golfers – including his regular partner in European colours, – have already agreed to the peace terms offered by the DP World Tour.

European kingpin Rory McIlroy described the deal as “pretty generous” to the rebels, a view echoed by most people in the game.

But former world No 1 Rahm originally decided to go it alone and take the DP World Tour bosses to court for banning LIV golfers.

He has now decided against that, but will have to face the consequences – which means watching from outside, when Donald’s team attempt to make it three wins in a row against the Americans at Adare Manor in Ireland next September.

Rahm, 31, made it clear at the latest LIV event in South Africa that his main beef is not about the money involved, especially as the circuit’s Saudi Arabian backers have agreed to pay the first £1.5million in fines.

He is ticked off at the fact the Tour want him and the other LIV golfers to play six tournaments a year, instead of the four that McIlroy and other current members must agree to.

Rahm said: “They offered us a deal that I don’t think was right. But if they changed it for me to play a minimum of four events, then I would sign with them.

“I don’t think it’s right that they’re requiring people to play more than is already required.

“It doesn’t seem like it should be a very difficult decision for them. But apparently me playing those two extra events is where they’re drawing the line, and I told them I’m not willing to play.

“I’ve never played more than four events for the DP World Tour. I think the most I played one year was five, and that was for special circumstances.”

Rahm did not seem too bothered by the Ryder Cup rumpus, as he mounted a final round charge in South Africa, forcing fellow major champion to pull out all the stops.

The Spaniard shot an eight under par 63 to wipe out DeChambeau’s three shot advantage over him – only to lose in a play-off as the American conjured up a brilliant birdie to clinch his second LIV win in eight days.

DeChambeau fought back tears as he revealed he has also had to contend with off course issues – without going into detail.

He commented: “A lot has happened ⁠in my life in the last week, I am so grateful for ‌my team and everybody supporting me.

“Golf is a fickle game. You work so hard at ‌it your whole life and then you realise golf is just golf I’ve just got to say I love everybody.”

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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