Rahm's refusal to pay fine puts his Ryder Cup future in peril

Teammate Hatton is one of eight players who have agreed to settle all outstanding fines due in Europe and withdraw any appeals in return for releases to play on LIV tournaments in 2026.

Sat, 21 Feb, 2026 - 15:21

Ewan Murray

Jon Rahm’s Ryder Cup future is in serious doubt after the Spaniard failed to join his teammate Tyrrell Hatton in settling a dispute over a seven-figure fine with the European Tour Group over participation in LIV Golf.

Hatton is one of eight players who have agreed to settle all outstanding fines due in Europe and withdraw any appeals in return for releases to play on LIV tournaments in 2026. Luke Donald, who is expected to remain in office for a third stint as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain, wanted the situation with Hatton and Rahm resolved. Donald has only partly got his wish, with Adare Manor in 2027 looming ever closer.

Hatton joined Laurie Canter, Tom McKibbin, Thomas Detry, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, Elvis Smylie and David Puig in reaching agreement with the European Tour Group. Until now members of the DP World, formerly European, Tour were punished each time they played in the Saudi-backed LIV.

“The conditions these members have accepted will provide additional value to the DP World Tour and benefit to the entire membership,” said the European Tour Group . “Provided each member satisfies the conditions of their individual releases, no disciplinary action under the regulations will be taken against them for playing in conflicting tournaments on LIV Golf in 2026 and they will retain their membership status.

“The releases apply for the 2026 season only and they are not precedent-setting. Requests for releases will continue to be considered on their individual merits in accordance with the regulations that all members agree to abide by.” Notable by his absence is Rahm, who remains in conflict with the European Tour Group. The two-time major winner has been adamant he will not pay fines in Europe, which is due to lead him towards an appeal hearing.

Should Rahm lose – and precedent suggests he will – he would be in default and facing suspension from the Ryder Cup. Other Ryder Cup regulars placed in this position – Lee Westwood, Sergio García and Ian Poulter – resigned from the DP World Tour after losing appeals over fines. Rahm, a key part of Europe’s past four Ryder Cup teams, has yet to comment on the situation.

In Dubai last month, Rory McIlroy called on Hatton and Rahm to step forward for Europe. “We went really hard on the Americans about being paid to play the Ryder Cup,” he said of events at the 2025 event. “We also said we would pay to play in Ryder Cups. There’s two guys that can prove it.”

The Guardian