Could Jon Rahm's Ryder Cup career really be over?
By: Derek Clements | Edited: Mon 23 Feb 2026
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Jon Rahm's Ryder Cup career may be over after the Spaniard refused the DP World Tour’s offer to allow him to compete in LIV Golf events for the remainder of 2026 if he was prepared to pay all his outstanding fines.
The same offer was made to eight other LIV golfers who have been dividing their time between tours. Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Tyrrell Hatton, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, David Puig and Elvis Smylie all agreed to the deal but Rahm flatly refused.
All of the above players have settled their outstanding fines and have agreed to take part in ‘additional stipulated DP World Tour tournaments’.
Hatton has also agreed to withdraw from the ongoing appeal that has been hanging over the DP World Tour with regard to the sanctions they had been handed for competing in LIV events.
Although turning down the offer does not automatically rule out Rahm from representing Europe in the Ryder Cup, there is certain to be a massive backlash if the rules were to be tweaked to allow him to play. Why should there be one rule for Rahm and an entirely different code of conduct for everybody else?
Rahm plans to continue with his appeal against the DP World Tour. And if he loses then his tour membership would be suspended, meaning Europe would head to Adare Manor in 2027 without him in the team.
For the record, the amount of money Rahm owes in fines is believed to be in the region of $2.5 million, which amounts to little more than small change for the Spaniard.
The tour released the following statement:
"The DP World Tour has granted conditional releases to eight members to play in conflicting tournaments on LIV Golf during the 2026 season.
"Each member has accepted the conditions specified by the DP World Tour for their release, which include:
"Payment in full of all outstanding fines for breaches of the DP World Tour’s Regulations.
"Participation in additional stipulated DP World Tour tournaments, as well as associated media activity and promotion.
"Withdrawal of all pending appeals.
"The members who have been granted conditional releases are: Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Tyrrell Hatton, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, David Puig and Elvis Smylie.
"The conditions these members have accepted will provide additional value to the DP World Tour and benefit to the entire membership. 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 releases apply for the 2026 season only and they are not precedent-setting. Requests for releases will continue to be considered on their individual merits in accordance with the Regulations that all members agree to abide by."
About the author
Derek Clements is a seasoned sports journalist and regular Golfshake contributor, specialising in tour coverage, opinion pieces, and feature writing. With a long career in national newspapers and golf media, he has reported on the game across Europe, the United States and Australia. A passionate golfer, he has played and reviewed numerous renowned courses, with personal favourites including Pebble Beach, Kingsbarns, Aldeburgh, Old Thorns and the K Club. His love of the game informs his thoughtful commentary on both professional golf and the wider golfing community.
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