Jon Rahm doesn’t have specifics, but he’s happy that one of LIV Golf’s looming questions appears to be close to being answered.
Social media account @FlushingIt reported that the DP World Tour is working toward a settlement with LIV Golf that would stop fining LIV players for competing in conflicting events starting this year. Rahm, who told GOLF’s Podcast subpar he racked up nearly $3 million in fines over the past two seasons, is looking forward to a settlement.
“I would personally say I don’t know much about this issue,” Rahm said at the LIV event this week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “Obviously, I think in the beginning, the managers will take care of that early on. I don’t know what the negotiations look like. Obviously, they will go to the players individually to make different deals. I don’t know what it might be or what it will look like, but I’m happy to see that I’m looking for a way forward so that LIV players can be penalized and not play in the tournament.”
Part of the DP World Tour’s reported offer is that players will have to pay any outstanding fines they have accrued. This was reported by Sports Illustrated LIV is working with DP World Tour to eliminate or reduce those current penalties.
Rahm has said he will not pay the fines. Both he and Tyrrell Hatton are awaiting the outcome of an appeal they lodged in 2024 to determine whether the fines are legal. Rahm and Hatton were able to play on the 2025 Ryder Cup team because the case has not yet been resolved. Rory McIlroy suggested that the two European powerhouses should simply wait for the check so their Ryder Cup availability is not in doubt.
“Look, that’s my opinion,” McIlroy said at the Dubai Desert Classic. “We pushed hard with the Americans to get paid to play in the Ryder Cup, and we also said we would pay to play in Ryder Cups. There are two guys who can prove that. Very good.”
The two-time major champion believes the reported settlement, which involves the DP World Tour selecting a number of events for players to participate in, is good for the health of both LIV and the DP World Tour, especially given the number of young European players who have chosen to play at LIV.
“I think the example of players like Tom (McKibbin) or David Puig, who is now a winner on the European Tour, who just chose the best possible path as young players, should not be penalized because of the politics of the game,” Rahm said. “The fact that they’re seeing a positive way to take it, I think it’s only good for us and I think it’s good for the DP World Tour as well.”
At the DP World Tour’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Puig and Patrick Reed both said they would pay any fines awarded by DP World Tour to maintain their status. Reeds has since that time left LIV Golf and plans to rejoin the PGA Tour in August when he qualifies. LIV Golf has previously paid fines, but will no longer do so starting this year.
