Jon Rahm has accused the DP World Tour of trying to “extort” money from LIV players who want to play some of its events.
The two-times major champion from Spain was not among the eight LIV stars who signed waivers to compete on the DP World Tour. Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Tyrrell Hatton, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, David Puig and Elvis Smylie all agreed to the terms set out by what was formerly the European Tour, including a commitment to paying any pending fines and competing in a prescribed minimum number of DP World Tour events.
Rahm reportedly owes the DP World Tour a fine of between $2-3million, and would be required to enter six of its events, two of which it would choose. Otherwise, he risks missing out on next year’s Ryder Cup.
“I don’t know what game they’re trying to play right now, but it just seems like in a way they’re using us to [capitalise on] our impact in tournaments and fining us and trying to benefit both ways from what we have to offer,” Rahm, 31, said. “In a way, they’re extorting players like myself and young players that have nothing to do with the politics of the game.
“I don’t like the situation and I’m not going to agree to that. I did tell them, funny enough, lower that to four events, like the minimum says, and I’ll sign tonight. They haven’t agreed to that. I just refuse to play six events. I don’t want to, and that’s not what the rules say.”
The former world No1, who defected to the Saudi-backed LIV in December 2023, added: “I just don’t like the situation. I think we should be able to freely play where we want and have the choice to play where we want and not be dictated what we do. Especially myself. I can’t speak for others, only myself.
Hatton, right, Rahm’s Ryder Cup team-mate, agreed to conditions laid out by the DP World Tour
RICHARD HEATHCOTE/GETTY IMAGES
“I’ve always committed to play the minimum requirement [on the DP World Tour] and I think I’ve played four events, including the Spanish Open, every year except one as a pro, and I commit to do that. That’s not going to change. I still fully intend to do that.”
If Rahm sticks to his guns, he would be ineligible to compete for the European team at the 2027 Ryder Cup in Limerick, Ireland. He has been part of the European squad for the past four competitions, winning three, including last year’s victory on American soil at Bethpage Black.
Hatton, also a four-team Team Europe member, made himself eligible by agreeing to the DP World Tour’s terms.
Despite the drama surrounding him off the course, Rahm is performing well. He finished as runner-up in each of the first two LIV events of the season, at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Adelaide, Australia, as he looks ahead to the tournament in Hong Kong that starts on Thursday.
“Happy with my play so far — I wish I could have converted one of those wins,” he said.