The PGA Championship might be getting underway shortly but we’re also just four months away from the Ryder Cup and Team Europe’s captain, Luke Donald, has been speaking about the inclusion of Jon Rahm.
Rahm is one of the most recognisable players in the world and since moving to LIV Golf, has yet to finish outside the top 10.
However, LIV’s lack of OWGR points means Jon Rahm is down in 82nd in the world rankings, while he’s down in 29th in the Ryder Cup qualification spots.
Rahm could get himself into the top six if he plays well in the upcoming majors but there are still question marks over whether Rahm – and others on LIV Golf – will actually be allowed to play.
And speaking on the issue of Rahm’s inclusion for Bethpage, captain Luke Donald has had to be careful with his answers.
Luke Donald speaks on Jon Rahm playing in the 2025 Ryder Cup
Donald was first asked about the availability of Tyrrell Hatton, Sergio Garcia and Jon Rahm but on that subject, he very much suggested that DP World Tour chief Guy Kinnings would be better placed to answer.
“Well, I would love for them to be eligible. But again, I’m not involved in that process. That is not my role. I’ll leave that up to Guy [Kinnings]. I think he can answer that one better than me,” Donald said.
Pressed further on the matter, Donald was then asked if he’d guaranteed Jon Rahm a place on the squad after the Spaniard refused to answer the question yesterday.
However, Donald said he’d not told anyone they were in yet, including his top guys.
“Well, I haven’t given anyone the nod. I think it’s a little bit too early for that,” Donald continued. Again, I have, we have, very in-depth stats. We know exactly how these players are playing. We have a great idea of where they stack up against each other and against the U.S.
“But I certainly think it’s a little too early to be giving anyone like firm assurances right now. We have three majors, elevated events, plenty of other events, Rolex Series events to play. I want them to go out and feel like they go and earn it. Let’s go in and play well.
“But again, we do have a lot of stats. In terms of Jon, he’s one of the best players in the world, and I would expect him to be on that team, but I certainly haven’t given him those assurances. He still needs to keep going and playing just like everyone else. Again, no assurances have been given right now.”
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Team Europe cannot afford to not include Jon Rahm
While Team Europe have tremendous depth in 2025 and they have a number of top players to choose from, Jon Rahm is one of their true world class players.
Yes, he is on LIV Golf and not playing 72 hole golf regularly. But he is a two-time major champion, a former world number one, and his form on LIV is actually spectacular.
Luke Donald simply cannot afford to go to the USA and not have one of his best players in the squad.
Whatever happens, Europe simply have to allow the LIV players to be selected and it would be a huge shock to see Rahm, Hatton, and even Garcia not selected.
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