
Jon Rahm is standing firm in his fight against the DP World Tour, even though he knows it could impact his eligibility for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor. After turning down the league's olive branch, Rahm went so far as to say the DP World Tour is "extorting players" who don't have the leverage to fight back.
In February, the DP World Tour granted conditional releases to eight members to compete in LIV Golf events in 2026. Those players had to settle their fines for competing in conflicting LIV events, withdraw their pending appeals and agree to play in six DP World Tour events instead of the typical four to retain their dual membership.
Rahm, who's reportedly built up more than $3 million in fines, did not agree to those terms. He dove into why this week.
"I don’t like what they’re doing currently with the contract they’re having us sign," Rahm said on Tuesday ahead of LIV Golf Hong Kong, per GOLF.com. "I don’t like the conditions. They’re asking me to play a minimum of six events, and they dictate where two of those have to be, amongst other things that I don’t agree with.
"I don’t know what game they’re trying to play right now, but it just seems like in a way they’re using our impact in tournaments and fining us and trying to benefit both ways from what we have to offer, and it’s just—in a way they’re extorting players like myself and young players that have nothing to do with the politics of the game. So, I don’t like the situation, and I’m not going to agree to that."
Jon Rahm has accused the DP World Tour of 'extorting players' over an agreement which would allow pro golfers to play on both the World Tour and in LIV Golf events. pic.twitter.com/4bG2gUaezX
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 3, 2026
The issue with Rahm's stance is that it could affect his ability to play in the 2027 Ryder Cup. The Spaniard isn't withdrawing his appeal, which must be resolved before he can be cleared to compete for Team Europe at Adare Manor. There's no timetable for when a third-party arbiter will hear Rahm's appeal.
Despite the risk, Rahm is standing up for what he believes is right and fair.
"I've been a dual-member my whole career—PGA Tour and DP World Tour," Rahm said. "Now with LIV Golf being accepted in the world rankings as part of the ecosystem, you could almost say a three-tour member, even though I’m suspended from the PGA Tour. But I’ve always been a dual member. Never once have I been asked for a release to play either one of those tours. We’ve never submitted a release. So why is it now that we need to be offering this and there’s all these penalties?"
Rahm could easily pay his fines and not even notice the difference in his bank account, but he doesn't want to set that precedent. If every dual member on LIV Golf bends the knee to the DP World Tour, what's stopping the league from demanding more appearances and threatening players with more fines if they refuse?
This messy situation is far from over.
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