Justin Rose has urged Jon Rahm to end the uncertainty over his Ryder Cup future by settling his fines with the DP World Tour.
Last week, the European-based circuit announced that a group of eight LIV Golf players have been granted releases by the DPWT.
Tyrrell Hatton, Laurie Canter, Tom McKibbin, Elvis Smylie, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, David Puig and Thomas Detry agreed to the settlement and will not be fined this season for competing in conflicting LIV events.
But the group have had to pay their outstanding fines, withdraw all pending appeals and play additional events on the DP World Tour’s schedule.
Rahm rejected the deal and accused officials at Wentworth HQ of attempting to extort him.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Rose told reporters ahead of this week’s Players Championship that the number of players who agreed to the proposal illustrates that the deal “wasn’t outrageous”.
“But at the same time, I would like to see Jon pay his fines for sure and be a part of the Ryder Cup,” said Rose.
“For me, obviously playing on LIV was a decision that he made and wanted to make, and fair play to him for making it and good for him. He’s playing good golf out there. He’s winning.
“He’s making a lot of money, and he’s … you know, you can’t argue, can’t knock what he’s been able to achieve out there.
“So I would just see it as a cost of doing business for Jon. Like for me, being in the Ryder Cup is more than about money.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
“What I would say, where he may have a point is the Tour making him play extra events. Maybe he has a point there.
“So maybe there’s some middle ground where he would do his best to support the Tour as and when, but not necessarily have that hung over his head, but paying his fines is obviously step number one.”
Show Instagram Embedded Content
Loading this video will expose you to potential cookies and tracking by the provider
Rose is not the first high-profile player to weigh in on the situation.
Last week, reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy voiced his frustration and echoed the sentiments expressed by Rose.
McIlroy said the deal Rahm rejected was “much softer” than the terms Brooks Koepka agreed to before returning to the PGA Tour in January after quitting LIV Golf.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
“If you want to play on the Ryder Cup you have to be a member of the DP World Tour,” said McIlroy.
“You have to be a member of the DP World Tour, you have to abide by the rules and regulations.
“And the rules and regulations were, okay, if you break the media rights agreement and you go and play in a conflicting event, you don’t get a release, you’re subject to fines.
“So the guys didn’t want to pay these fines, that’s fine.
“So then the European Tour said, okay, let’s try to come up with some sort of solution where you don’t have to pay the fines, so that we can ease that burden on you, but still retain your membership.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
“And I, look, there’s a reason eight of the nine guys took that deal, right. I think it’s a really good deal.
“Yeah, obviously Jon doesn’t think so, and he’s obviously well within his rights to think that way.
“But I just don’t see what more the European Tour can do to accommodate these guys to retain their membership.”
Jon Rahm accused the DPWT of extortion
Rahm said he would have accepted the deal had he not been asked to play six events on the DP World Tour’s schedule.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
It is two more than what the minimum requirement is. McIlroy said this “wasn’t a heavy lift”.
One man who will be closely monitoring the situation is Luke Donald. Earlier in the month, the Englishman was named Ryder Cup captain for a third time.
He will go for an historic three-peat in Ireland but will undoubtedly want Rahm involved.
Rahm played a key role in Europe’s victory in Rome in 2023 and again last September at Bethpage Black.
Show Instagram Embedded Content
Loading this video will expose you to potential cookies and tracking by the provider
Donald said he would wait to talk to Rahm before passing further comment and explained that there have been always been challenges during his stint.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Rose confirmed he was sounded out for the captaincy in the event Donald turned it down.
“I think from my point of view, it might have been good timing, but I think also at the same time I still believe that I can play in another one or two or more; let’s see, who knows. I don’t really want to put a time limit on it,” he said.
“But certainly the next one I would love to have a crack at, for sure, as a player.
“That’s been the advice from all the captains and vice captains and players that I played with through the years on Team Europe. They’re like, nothing trumps playing. So that’s always going to be the ultimate goal.
“But yeah, like I said, Luke’s decision, and I’m glad he’s doing it, because he’s obviously, what also what he’s brought to the captaincy is big shoes to fill from that point of view and obviously the next guy that takes on that responsibility, it’s pretty much a full-time job from that point of view. So to do it justice, you want to be ready and give it everything.”
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Subscribe to our Newsletter