Jon Rahm has issued a stern defence of his decision not to accept the DP World Tour agreement that eight of his LIV Golf colleagues signed last month.
The two-time major winner addressed the media ahead of LIV Hong Kong and it was the first time he’s publicly spoken since it was revealed that, unlike Legion XIII teammates Tom McKibbin and Tyrrell Hatton, would continue with his appeal against the fines issued by the Wentworth-based tour.
Hatton and McKibbin were joined by Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, David Puig and Elvis Smylie in agreeing to the terms which required the settling of any outstanding fines, withdrawing their appeals, and playing additional events on the DP World Tour, and in turn, they would be granted releases to compete in conflicting LIV events throughout 2026 and not incur any additional fines.
Rahm has been vocal in his opposition to incurring and paying fines in the past, but he revealed that the requirement to play in six additional DP World Tour events rather than the four that he’s had to play in the past – and to have two of those six dictated by the DP World Tour itself – was not something he was willing to agree to.
“My position hasn’t changed in a week,” he said in his LIV Hong Kong press conference. “I don’t like what they’re doing currently with the contract they’re having us sign. 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’ve been a dual member my whole career, PGA Tour and DP World Tour. 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? I understand why they’re doing it.
“What’s the problem? Given also the fact that two years ago I was asked to appeal the fines so they could figure this out and sort it out and I did and we’re running into more problems right now.
“I just don’t like the situation. I think we should be able to freely play where we want and have the choice to play where we want and not be dictated what we do. Especially myself. I can’t speak for others; only myself.
“I’ve always committed to play the minimum requirement, and I think I’ve played four events, including the Spanish Open, every year except one as a pro, and I commit to do that. That’s not going to change. I still fully intend to do that.”
Rahm went on to add that he believes that the DP World Tour is attempting to gain from the LIV players inclusion in DP World Tour fields, and from the fines they incur for playing in unsanctioned LIV events, going as far as to call it ‘extortion’.
“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,” he said.
“So I don’t like the situation and I’m not going to agree to that.”
Rahm did admit that he’d made a counter-offer to the DP World Tour, stating that he would agree to sign the deal if he was only being asked to play the traditional four extra DP World Tour events rather than the revised six, but that the tour have not agreed as of yet.
“I did tell them, funny enough, lower that to four events, like the minimum says, and I’ll sign tonight,” he added. “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.”
Along with the Spanish Open, which Rahm has played in each year since turning pro, with the exception of 2020 when travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic made international events particularly difficult to attend, Rahm cited the Irish Open among the other events that he would consider playing in.
But, should his appeal progress and be heard, and the judgment go against him as precedence suggests it will, then Rahm would no longer be permitted to play in DP World Tour events without settlement of his fines, and that would make him ineligible for the 2027 Ryder Cup as well.
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