Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton handed Ryder Cup conditional lifeline despite Liv Golf moves
In a surprising turn of events, Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, despite their participation in the controversial LIV Golf series, still have a chance to compete in the Ryder Cup next year. The duo faces fines and suspensions for their involvement in the LIV Golf Tour, yet DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings has provided…
In a surprising turn of events, Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, despite their participation in the controversial LIV Golf series, still have a chance to compete in the Ryder Cup next year. The duo faces fines and suspensions for their involvement in the LIV Golf Tour, yet DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings has provided a lifeline by suggesting that they can still qualify for the Ryder Cup if they pay the fines and adhere to certain criteria.
According to Kinnings, players like Rahm and Hatton, who are European and members of the DP World Tour, can remain contenders for the Ryder Cup if they abide by the current rules and penalties imposed by the tour. This means that as long as they serve their suspensions and fines and participate in the required number of qualifying tournaments, they can maintain their eligibility for Team Europe selection.
However, the situation has led to the resignation of Ryder Cup veterans Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Sergio Garcia from the DP World Tour, rendering them ineligible for the upcoming Ryder Cup. Despite this, Kinnings reaffirmed Rahm and Hatton’s eligibility for selection, emphasizing that they can still compete in certain events after serving their suspensions.
The ongoing discussions surrounding the conflict between traditional golf tours and the emerging LIV Golf series have yet to yield significant progress, despite an initial truce reached in June 2023. Major stakeholders, including the PGA Tour, PGA Enterprises, American backers Strategic Sports Group, the Saudi Public Investment Fund, and the DP World Tour, have not convened for collective negotiations.
Kinnings stressed the importance of finding a solution that satisfies all parties involved, highlighting the need for compromise and collaboration. He expressed optimism about the involvement of Rory McIlroy in the negotiations, believing that his influence could contribute to bridging the divide within the sport.
In the midst of uncertainties surrounding the future of golf, Kinnings emphasized the necessity of finding a long-term solution that benefits the game and its stakeholders. While the path forward may require difficult compromises, he remains hopeful that a mutually beneficial agreement can be reached through constructive dialogue and cooperation among all parties involved.