Golf Mar 16, 2026

Jon Rahm explains why he has not signed LIV release to play on DP World Tour: 'I'll play four tournaments, not six'

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Jon Rahm explains why he has not signed LIV release to play on DP World Tour: 'I'll play four tournaments, not six'

Jon Rahm has accused the DP World Tour of "extorting players" and says he will not sign a deal that allows him to play on the circuit and in LIV Golf simultaneously under current conditions.

The Spaniard has previously said he has "no intention" of paying the financial punishments for breaching membership guidelines by featuring in LIV events without permission, with his fines believed to be in the region of £2.5m.

Unless an agreement is reached, his eligibility for next year's Ryder Cup in Ireland could be in doubt.

The chief sticking point for Rahm is the number of DP World Tour events he has been asked to appear in.

Two-time major champion and former world No 1 Rahm said ahead of LIV Golf Hong Kong from Thursday: "I don't like what [the DP World Tour] are doing currently with the contract they're having us sign.

"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 did tell them to lower that to four events, like the minimum says, and I'll sign tonight. They haven't agreed to that. I just refuse to play six events. I don't want to and that's not what the rules say.

"I don't know what game they're trying to play right now, but it just seems they're using our impact in tournaments, fining us and trying to benefit both ways from what we have to offer.

"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."

The eight players granted LIV releases - Hatton, Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, David Puig and Elvis Smylie - have all accepted that their presence at tournaments benefits the DP World Tour and its members.

Conditions for the players' release include paying outstanding fines in full for breaching the DP World Tour's regulations, as well as withdrawing all pending appeals.

The group must also participate in additional stipulated DP World Tour tournaments and media activity.

Rory McIlroy previously said Rahm and Hatton should pay their fines and prove their commitment to Team Europe, after the furore of Team America being given money for their appearances at the 2025 tournament in New York.

On McIlroy's comments, Rahm added: "That statement would make a lot more sense if all 12 of us were being asked to pay, not only just the two of us.

"There's more intricacy that goes into this whole situation, right.

"While I understand why he's saying that, we all do it for the love of the game, it's a different situation than what we usually see.

"I'll gladly pay my way to go on the Ryder Cup, not have to pay to still be a member of the DP World Tour and fulfil a commitment that I'm fully willing to commit."

Tags:

golf news

Share this article

Related Posts

Rory McIlroy: Masters champion to return to Augusta for round after The Genesis Invitational

Rory McIlroy: Masters champion to return to Augusta for round after The Genesis Invitational

Masters champion Rory McIlroy is heading back to Augusta next week but will first look to continue to "shake off the rust" at The Genesis Invitational...

Rory McIlroy happy that game is in good shape after taking positive steps in second-place finish at Genesis Invitational

Rory McIlroy happy that game is in good shape after taking positive steps in second-place finish at Genesis Invitational

Rory McIlroy says he is pleased with the positive strides he made at the Genesis Invitational despite falling just short after his Sunday surge.Jacob...

Tiger Woods says The Masters is not off the table as 15-time major champion continues recovery

Tiger Woods says The Masters is not off the table as 15-time major champion continues recovery

Tiger Woods still has hopes of competing in The Masters in April as the 15-time major champion continues his latest comeback from injury. The 50-year-...

Genesis Invitational: Jacob Bridgeman holds off Rory McIlroy to claim maiden PGA Tour victory by one shot

Genesis Invitational: Jacob Bridgeman holds off Rory McIlroy to claim maiden PGA Tour victory by one shot

Jacob Bridgeman held off Rory McIlroy to claim his maiden PGA Tour victory at The Genesis Invitational as the American won by just one shot having led...

Jeeno Thitikul: World No 1 wins home LPGA Thailand tournament for first time

Jeeno Thitikul: World No 1 wins home LPGA Thailand tournament for first time

World No 1 Jeeno Thitikul justified her top billing in emphatic fashion after edging Japan's Chizzy Iwai by one stroke to claim her home LPGA Thailand...

Casey Jarvis wins first DP World Tour title at Kenya Open as England's Nathan Kimsey finishes tied fifth

Casey Jarvis wins first DP World Tour title at Kenya Open as England's Nathan Kimsey finishes tied fifth

South African golfer Casey Jarvis won the Kenya Open by three shots on Sunday to clinch his first title on the DP World Tour.Jarvis, ranked 195th in t...