RORY McILROY delivered a Ryder Cup bombshell as he urged Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton to prove they would pay to represent Europe.
McIlroy said the LIV duo should pay off their fines for joining the rebel tour — and end the uncertainty over their Ryder Cup futures.
Rory McIlroy sent a clear message to two European team-matesCredit: Getty
LIV rebels Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton have formed a strong Ryder Cup partnershipCredit: Getty
Both have issued a legal challenge to the fines imposed by the DP World Tour, which is dragging on.
Speaking ahead of the Dubai Desert Classic, where Hatton is defending champion, insists there is a simple solution.
He said: “The main thing is… and look, this is my opinion, we went really hard on the Americans about being paid to play the and we also said we would pay to play in Ryder Cups.
“There’s two guys that can prove it. Great. I think any members’ organisation like this Tour has a right to uphold its rules and regulations.
“We, as members, sign a document at the start of every year, which has you agree to these rules and regulations.
“The people that made the option to go to LIV knew what they were. So I don’t see what’s wrong with how the Tour reacted.”
Hatton appeared shocked when told about McIlroy’s comments, but did his best to duck the issue.
He said: “I’ve literally just come off a pro-am. I’m not on my phone in the pro-am. So I don’t really have anything to add towards what he said.”
But Northern Irishman McIlroy has firmly lobbed the ball into the duo’s court.
McIlroy and Hatton can discuss the issue at length as they have been drawn in the same group for the first two rounds of the Desert Classic — which starts today — alongside Tommy Fleetwood, who may have to act as a mediator.
And McIlroy reckons there is .
The world No 2, 36, added: “I don’t see a world where it can happen at this point. They are just too far apart for that to happen.
“And to be honest, I don’t think it matters. I definitely think the traditional Tours, if you want to call them that, have weathered the worst of the storm.
“ would be better served if all the best players in the world played together a little more often than they do.
“We’re really only seeing that four times a year, at the Major championships.”
Two-time Major champion Dustin Johnson, making his Desert Classic debut, insists LIV still has the star power to stand alone, .
American DJ, who has just signed a new three-year deal with the breakaway tour, said: “. And it’s only going to keep getting better.”
McIlroy scored 3.5 points at Bethpage in September’s famous winCredit: Getty
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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