Jon Rahm plans to play Ryder Cup despite looming sanctions

Spanish golfer Jon Rahm is unsure when a third-party arbitrator will hear his appeal regarding fines and suspensions levied against him by the DP World Tour for participating in LIV Golf events in 2024.

But the former world number one golfer knows one thing: He plans to be part of the European team when it faces the United States in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black Golf Course in Farmingdale, New York, from 23 to 28 september.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, but I can tell you my plan is to be part of this team in Bethpage,” Rahm told reporters at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic on Tuesday.

Rahm, a two-time major championship winner and reigning LIV Golf individual champion, appealed the sanctions against him in September, allowing him to continue playing in DP World Tour events to meet the minimum of four tee times required to be considered for the Ryder Cup.

LIV Golf members Tyrrell Hatton of England and Adrian Meronk of Poland also appealed their sanctions against the DP World Tour. The trio were disciplined for participating in LIV Golf events held at the same time as European Tour tournaments.

It is unclear when the independent committee will hear the golfers’ appeals. They remain eligible to compete in DP World Tour events, including this week’s tournament at Emirates Golf Club, where Rory McIlroy is the defending champion.

Guy Kinnings, CEO of the DP World Tour, told reporters at the DP World Tour Championship in November that his tour would not try to influence when appeals would be heard.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen, and I hope they don’t try to settle the appeal before the Ryder Cup,” Rahm said. “I don’t think it would be good for anyone. But my plan is to be in Bethpage.”

Rahm is currently 17th in the European Ryder Cup team rankings (275.8), far behind leader McIlroy (792.07).

The top six in points after the Betfred British Masters on August 24 will automatically qualify for the team. Captain Luke Donald will make six captain picks.

Rahm won three points for Team Europe in their 16½ – 11½ loss to Team USA in the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club outside Rome.

At Bethpage Black, the European team will try to win on American soil for the first time since 2012.

Rahm said he still hoped the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund would reach an agreement to end the great divide that exists in men’s professional golf.

“It’s hard to say at this point,” Rahm said. “I think a lot of us would say that when this framework agreement was done over a year and a half ago, things would be further along at this point. And it’s really hard to know what’s going on behind closed doors, isn’t it? It’s coming to people much higher than me.

“I don’t know what their vision is or what they want from it, right? I think many of us want some sort of resolution to be reached and get the best possible product for the consumer, and that’s what I think we can still do.”