Luke Donald has revealed that he will hold talks with Spaniard Jon Rahm over his uncertain Ryder Cup future.
Donald was retained for a third successive term as Team Europe Ryder Cup captain for the 2027 edition in Adare Manor after leading the continent to back to back victories in Rome and New York.
Rahm has been a vital part of the winning formula, forming a superb partnership with Tyrrell Hatton but he recently rejected an offer from the DP World Tour which would have given him an exemption to compete in LIV Golf events without punishment if he settled his reported $2m fines, but he is set to appeal against the sanctions handed against him by the tour.
Rahm accused the DP World Tour of trying to exploit him and his Ryder Cup future is very uncertain ahead of his appeal in the coming months. Should he lose, he faces a suspension from the tour resulting in ineligibility for the Ryder Cup next year.
Donald explained to reporters that he intends to sit down with Rahm over the situation.
“Well, first day on the job, so I haven’t talked to him yet but obviously I will talk to Jon,” Donald explained. “We have a great relationship, and he’s been a tremendous teammate and player for me the last two Ryder Cups.”
He continued: “I haven’t talked to Jon so I don’t really want to comment on that yet. I know he has his own reasons. But I look forward to catching up with him and really hope that he’s available.”
Asked if he was concerned about Rahm being absent from his team, Donald added: “There’s 16, 17 months till we tee off. There’s plenty of time.
“I think every time I’ve been captain, there’s always challenges to overcome. So it’s never a smooth road. There’s always bumps in the road. Obviously my plan and my hope is that Jon is available for that team.
“As I said, he’s been a tremendous teammate, a tremendous player and has given us so much. But again, I’ll have to have that conversation soon and see where his head is.”
Last week, Pádraig Harrington was of the opinion that Rahm is relying on the fact that players and staff will realise that they are better with him on the team.
“There’s no way the captain, the team or the fans will want to go into a Ryder Cup without Jon Rahm and maybe he is relying on that.
“It doesn’t mean he can rely on it forever but he can right now. Social media and the fans they will want Rahm to play and he is relying on that pressure.”
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