September 28, 2025; Bethpage, New York, USA; Team Europe golfer Jon Rahm plays the third hole on the final day of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Image Jon Rahm gave a fiery explanation Tuesday as to why he was not among the eight LIV golfers who signed waivers to compete on the DP World Tour.
Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Tyrrell Hatton, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, David Puig and Elvis Smylie have all agreed to terms set by the DP World Tour (DPWT), formerly known as the European Tour. Players had to agree to pay any pending fines, participate in the prescribed minimum number of DPWT tournaments, and drop any pending appeals.
Rahm said such conditions amounted to “robbing players like me.”
According to various media reports, he must fine DPWT between $2 and $3 million. Rahm added that DPWT will require him to participate in six events, of which he will choose two.
“I don’t know what game they are trying to play now, but it seems like they are using us in a way that leverages our influence in tournaments, imposes fines, and both profits from what we have to offer, as well as robbing players like me and younger players who have nothing to do with the politics of the game.
“So I don’t like this situation and I will not agree with it.
“Now I told them, funny enough, to get it down to four events as the rule minimum and I’ll sign it tonight. They didn’t agree to that. I just refuse to play six events. I don’t want to and that’s not what the rules say.”
The 31-year-old Spaniard added: “I don’t like the situation. I think we should be free to play where we want and have the choice to play where we want without being told what to do. Especially myself. I can’t speak for anyone else and I can’t speak for myself.”
“I’ve always tried to meet the minimum requirements (in the DPWT) and I think I’ve competed in four events every year as a pro, including the Spanish Open, except once. I’m committed to doing that. That’s not going to change. I’m still willing to do that.”
If Lahm retains his current position, he will not be eligible to play for Europe at the 2027 Ryder Cup in Limerick, Ireland. He has been a member of the European squad in the last four tournaments, winning three times while compiling a 9-5-3 record.
Hatton, a member of the four-team European team that holds an 8-4-3 record in the Ryder Cup, agreed to the DPWT’s terms to qualify.
“I am willing to pay to compete in the Ryder Cup without having to pay to maintain my membership on the DP World Tour, and I am willing to make a commitment to be fully committed,” Rahm said.
Despite the drama surrounding him off the course, Ram is performing well. He finished runner-up in each of the first two LIV events of the season in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Adelaide, Australia, ahead of the Hong Kong tournament starting on Thursday.
“I’m happy with my performance so far,” Rahm said. “I wish I could have converted one of those wins.”
–Field level media
