Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton’s Ryder Cup futures are in major doubt.
When LIV Golf announced it would no longer pay players’ fines for playing on the DP World Tour, both Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton weren’t happy. And they both said they have no intention of paying those fines themselves.
That’s an issue for Europe’s Ryder Cup team. To be eligible for the team, players must maintain their DP World Tour membership. So if Rahm and Hatton won’t pay the fines, then will Europe lose one of its strongest-ever partnerships?
The ever-opinionated Rory McIlroy, the spiritual leader of the team after his heroics at Bethpage Black, doesn’t think Europe should make an exception for his teammates, and made an excellent point on what Rahm and Hatton should do.
Rory McIlroy tells Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton to pay DP World Tour fines
One of the biggest controversies at the Ryder Cup, beyond the abuse from the fans and Keegan Bradley’s decisions, was the news that the American players were being paid to play.
Luke Donald and Team Europe used this as a weapon before the event, emphasizing that their players would pay the price for the honor of representing the team.
McIlroy recently noted that Rahm and Hatton have an opportunity to prove Donald right. Speaking before the Dubai Desert Classic, he was asked if he agreed with the DP World Tour’s decision to fine the LIV duo.
He said, “Look, I think any organization or any members’ organization like this has a right to uphold its rules and regulations.
Should Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton be allowed to play at the 2027 Ryder Cup?
“And what the DP World Tour are doing is upholding their rules and regulations and we, as members, sign a document at the start of every year, which has you agree to these rules and regulations, and the people that made the option to go to LIV knew what they were.
“So I don’t see what’s wrong with that, I guess, is my opinion.”
McIlroy was then asked if Hatton and Rahm should pay their fines, and the 2025 Masters winner replied, “Yeah, absolutely. The main thing is – look, this is my opinion.
“We went really hard on the Americans about being paid to play the Ryder Cup, and we also said that we would pay to play in Ryder Cups. There’s two guys that can prove it.”
It’s a great point from McIlroy, but something that’s very easy to say when it’s not his money! And by voicing this opinion, he risks ruining the very thing that makes Team Europe so special.
Rory McIlroy risks European Ryder Cup success with LIV Golf comments
He’s right to point out the potential hypocrisy from Team Europe, but by doing so, McIlroy risks tearing apart everything Donald and Team Europe have built during this period of dominance.
Europe’s strength is in unity. “For the badge and the boys”, as Justin Rose eloquently said after the team’s win in New York. The team rallied around McIlroy as the American fans hurled abuse at him, and this togetherness has allowed Europe to overcome the odds over the past decades.
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But by reaching into Rahm and Hatton’s pockets and telling them to pay the fines, McIlroy risks fracturing that relationship. If the LIV stars are truly set on not paying, then these comments are bound to raise their eyebrows.
And by telling them to pay, McIlroy has killed any leverage Rahm and Hatton may have had in their battle with the DP World Tour. It’ll be interesting to see how all of this plays out.
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