Rahm's Ryder Cup Future in Doubt Over DP World Tour Dispute

Spanish golfer continues to resist financial penalties related to 2023 LIV Golf move

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Jon Rahm's availability for the 2027 Ryder Cup is in serious doubt as the Spanish golfer continues to resist any financial penalty related to his 2023 departure to the LIV Golf league. While eight other golfers, including Tyrrell Hatton, have agreed to pay fines and participate in additional DP World Tour events to resolve issues over playing for LIV, Rahm has not settled his dispute with the European-based tour.

Why it matters

Rahm's absence from the 2027 Ryder Cup would be a major blow for the European team, as he was a key contributor to their victory in 2025. The DP World Tour's stance on LIV defectors could have wider implications for the composition of future Ryder Cup teams.

The details

The DP World Tour announced that eight golfers, including Tyrrell Hatton, Tom McKibbin, David Puig, and others, have paid their outstanding fines and agreed to additional tournament and promotional commitments in order to resolve their issues related to playing for the rival LIV Golf league. However, Rahm, a two-time major winner, has not reached a similar settlement with the tour. Rahm and Hatton had filed an appeal in late 2024 that is still pending, which has kept them eligible for the 2025 Ryder Cup, but a ruling against Rahm could jeopardize his participation in 2027.

  • In late 2024, Rahm and Hatton filed an appeal to the DP World Tour over the issue.
  • In February 2026, the DP World Tour announced the resolution with eight golfers, but Rahm was notably absent from the list.

The players

Jon Rahm

A two-time major winner and one of the best players in the world, who played in all five matches for Europe at the 2025 Ryder Cup, winning three points for the team.

Tyrrell Hatton

A member of the European Ryder Cup team that won in New York in 2025, and one of the eight golfers who have resolved their issues with the DP World Tour.

Rory McIlroy

A European Ryder Cup star who has commented on the issue of players being paid to represent their teams.

Luke Donald

The European Ryder Cup captain who has worked to create a dynamic team dynamic.

Sergio Garcia

A LIV Golf player who has given up or resigned his membership to the DP World Tour, which he has been a member of since the beginning of his professional career.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We went really hard on the Americans about being paid to play the Ryder Cup. We also said that we would pay to play in Ryder Cups. There's two guys that can prove it.”

— Rory McIlroy (nytimes.com)

What’s next

The judge in Rahm's appeal case with the DP World Tour is expected to rule on the matter in the coming months, which could determine his eligibility for the 2027 Ryder Cup.

The takeaway

Rahm's ongoing dispute with the DP World Tour over his LIV Golf move highlights the complex issues facing professional golf, as tours and players grapple with the fallout from the emergence of the rival league. The outcome of Rahm's case could have significant implications for the composition of future European Ryder Cup teams.