Jon Rahm has made his DP World Tour return at the Spanish Open, and it hasn’t taken long for the LIV Golf star to hit the headlines.
The Spaniard is currently in talks with the authorities to remain eligible for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
Rahm owes the DP World Tour over $1 million in fines, and the 2023 Masters champion is reluctant to settle his debts.
The 29-year-old has lodged an appeal, but it remains to be seen whether his DP World Tour status will remain intact.
Now, as the Spanish Open gets underway, Rahm has spoken to the press about a potential return to the PGA Tour.
Golf fans react at Jon Rahm plots PGA Tour return
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Rahm detailed a scenario allowing LIV players to end their exodus.
“Just one that allows us to play freely between tours and enjoy the game of golf,” Rahm said. “For example, in my case, play Torrey and American Express in January, and then continue to enjoy the fact of being a DP World Tour member and play some events in the fall as well without any problems.”
Golf fans, however, are less than impressed with Rahm’s comments.
“So he takes all the millions and can play where he wants when he wants? Got it. Sorry, but that’s not how it will play out,” wrote one fan. “When he didn’t move the needle, it crushed the LIV Golf’s bargaining position. 2025 is the end of the initial contracts.”
Another added, “So, one where he knowingly breaks the rules to cash a $300mm payout but then gets until the rules change in his favour? No thanks.”
“By that, he means all LIV players can play on the PGA Tour…but PGA Tour players can’t play on LIV. Got it,” this fan added.
This fan wrote, “Funny, you don’t hear any PGA Tour players wanting to play on both tours. You don’t hear anyone on Tour clamouring to play LIV Golf Singapore.”
Finally, this fan couldn’t make sense of Rahm’s comments. “The logic doesn’t add up,” they wrote. “Yes, he could play PGA and DP events, but the LIV structure doesn’t allow free movement on their side. It doesn’t add up, no matter how you spin it.”
Rahm’s return to PGA Tour events wouldn’t impact his current situation with the DP World Tour. The Spaniard must pay up, or the DP World Tour change its current stance.
DP World Tour stars split on Jon Rahm’s Ryder Cup situation
Rahm’s current standoff with the DP World Tour, amidst the PGA Tour’s ongoing discussions with the PIF, has divided opinion.
Tommy Fleetwood, a stalwart of the European Ryder Cup side, believes the DP World Tour shouldn’t back down.
“No. I think if you’re going to play tore Team Europe — in my opinion, you should be a member and a part of the Tour in some respect,” said the Englishman. “I’m not saying it has to be necessarily super strict, but following the regulations at the moment is the right thing to do.”
Padraig Harrington, however, believes it’s a challenging situation for Luke Donald and the European authorities.
Harrington said: “It is a very tough situation for Luke Donald and The Ryder Cup in the sense that they really do want to have the best team, and there is a case for saying, you know, give ourselves the best chance of winning; that’s as important a factor as anything in be keeping the European Tour at the forefront of golf.
“I’m a guy for sticking to the rules, but it puts us in an awkward situation because, in 12 months, I will actually want Jon Rahm playing in the match.”
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
