By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Suresh Rajcoomar.
Jon Rahm has withdrawn his appeal against sanctions imposed by the DP World Tour for playing conflicting LIV Golf events.
But he has declined to pay his outstanding fines.
The Spaniard, who owes more than £2m in financial penalties, will not be able to compete in DP World Tour events.
The fines were the result of the European tour applying its policy on conflicting-event releases and media rights when players like Rahm joined LIV Golf and played events on the Saudi-backed league that were opposite European tournaments.
With the two-time major winner showing no inclination of paying his fines or accepting the conditional release taken by eight other LIV golfers – including his European Team partner Tyrrell Hatton – his participation in next year’s Ryder Cup is in serious doubt.
The 31-year-old has been part of the past four European squads – including victory at Bethpage Black in New York last year.
Rahm’s appeal had allowed him to continue playing and feature in the Ryder Cup win at Bethpage since September 2024.
The deal offered by the DP World Tour was for players to drop appeals, pay outstanding fines and commit to a minimum of six events, two of which were at the tour’s choosing.