Rahm Left Out as DP World Tour Grants Releases to 8 LIV Golf Players

Rahm's Ryder cup spot hangs in balance

Jon Rahm's participation in the 2027 Ryder Cup uncertain after being excluded from DP World Tour's list of released LIV Golf players.

“The releases apply for the 2026 season only and they are not precedent-setting...”

Jon Rahm's Ryder Cup future is hanging in the balance after he was left off the list of eight LIV Golf players granted dispensation by the DP World Tour. The Spaniard, a two-time major champion and former world number one, was notably absent from the list of golfers allowed to play in conflicting LIV tournaments this year while retaining their membership status.

Rahm had previously refused to pay hefty fines for breaching DP World Tour regulations by featuring in LIV events without permission, with the fines reportedly totaling around $3.37 million. The DP World Tour has stated that the releases apply only for the 2026 season and are not precedent-setting.

Jon Rahm's refusal to pay fines for breaching DP World Tour regulations has put his Ryder Cup future in doubt. The fines, reportedly around 2.5 million pounds ($3.37 million), were imposed for featuring in LIV Golf events without permission.

Rahm's decision not to pay the fines means he's not among the eight LIV Golf players granted conditional releases by the DP World Tour. The released players, including Tyrrell Hatton and Thomas Detry, can retain their membership and play in conflicting LIV tournaments in 2026 if they meet certain conditions.

European LIV Golf players risk losing Ryder Cup eligibility if they lose their DP World Tour membership. Since Rahm wasn't granted a release, his participation in the 2027 Ryder Cup is uncertain.

The eight players granted dispensation - Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Tyrrell Hatton, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, David Puig, and Elvis Smylie - won't face disciplinary action if they meet certain conditions. These conditions include paying outstanding fines in full and withdrawing all pending appeals.

To retain their DP World Tour membership, the players must participate in stipulated tournaments and media activities. The releases apply only for the 2026 season and aren't precedent-setting, according to the DP World Tour.

Rahm was one of Team Europe's key players at ‌the Ryder Cup last year when they beat the United States 15-13 at Bethpage Black to retain the trophy.

“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 DP World Tour said in a statement.

“The releases apply for the 2026 season only and they are not precedent-setting.”

Jon Rahm was a key player for Team Europe at the 2025 Ryder Cup, helping them retain the trophy with a 15-13 win over the United States at Bethpage Black. His participation in the event was under a pending appeal, allowing him to compete despite facing fines for playing in LIV Golf events without permission.

STATEMENT FROM THE DP WORLD TOUR.

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) February 21, 2026

Rahm, along with Cam Smith and Bryson DeChambeau, recently chose to stay with LIV Golf despite qualifying for the PGA Tour's “Returning Member Program.” This decision reflects their commitment to the Saudi-backed circuit.

The 2027 Ryder Cup is set to take place at Adare Manor from September 17th-19th. However, Rahm's eligibility for the event is uncertain due to his refusal to pay fines imposed by the DP World Tour.