Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton played pivotal roles during Europe’s Ryder Cup win at Bethpage Black.
The duo were two of three LIV Golf players at the Ryder Cup, and the Legion XIII teammates joined forces on Friday and Saturday morning to claim two points for Team Europe. They beat Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas, and the formidable pairing of Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele in foursomes.
But Rahm and Hatton’s Ryder Cup future is in doubt thanks to their allegiances with LIV. Luke Donald’s legendary captaincy began when Henrik Stenson was removed from his role after joining the tour, leaving many to wonder when the players will be held to the same standard.
Furthermore, to be on the European Ryder Cup team, you must be a member of the DP World Tour, and for Rahm and Hatton, their future on the European tour looks bleak now LIV has stopped paying players’ fines.
The DP World Tour’s decision to fine LIV players is being appealed, and a former Players’ Committee member has suggested a date for the appeals to be heard. This could be the all-important date when Rahm and Hatton’s Ryder Cup future is decided.
When Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton’s Ryder Cup future could be decided
Eddie Pepperell, twice a winner on the European Tour and a former member of the Players’ Committee, said he has heard rumours that the appeal against Rahm and Hatton’s fines could be heard by April next year.
Speaking on The Chipping Forecast podcast, the Englishman said, “I’ve heard rumours that the case is going to be heard by April, the case that we talk about with Rahm and Hatton and all of these guys, and David Puig will be affected by that, you would imagine.
“So, by the end of April, it may be the case that the tour will have some clarity on that. And if indeed the ruling goes in the tour’s favour, as it did a few years ago, then these guys will very likely not be playing on the DP World Tour for much longer.”
This would be disastrous for Team Europe’s hopes of retaining the Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in 2027, as Rahm and Hatton are an undefeated partnership from the last three tournaments.
Jon Rahm has no intention of paying DP World Tour fines
The question remains whether the LIV Golf stars pay their own DP World Tour fines to remain members, but Rahm said he has no intention of doing so.
Speaking before LIV Chicago, the Spaniard said, “I’m not a big fan of the fines. I think I’ve been outspoken about that. I don’t intend to pay the fines, and we keep trying to have a discussion with them about how we can make this happen.
“I’ve said many times, I don’t go to the Spanish Open for the glory or anything else. I think it’s my duty to Spanish golf to be there, and I also want to play in Sotogrande (the Andalucia Masters).
Should Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton be allowed to play at the 2027 Ryder Cup?
“At that point, it would almost be doing not only me but Spanish golf a disservice by not letting me play, so yeah, that’s why we’re trying to talk to them and make that happen. I would also love to play the Dunhill (Links Championship in Scotland).
“I have a good friend who asked me to play, and Johan (Rupert, the event organizer) has been has been a great, great ambassador for the game of golf. I would love to be able to play all those events.’’
That’s a clear line in the sand for Rahm, who played the Spanish Open this fall. So all we can do now is wait.
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