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Jon Rahm has declared he will play for Europe in next year’s Ryder Cup, with the Spaniard confident of ending his standoff with the DP World Tour by September. Rahm’s sentiment will raise Luke Donald’s confidence that he will be able to call on one of his key team members for Europe’s Ryder Cup defence.
Rahm has been subject to fines reaching seven figures for participating on the LIV Tour without consent from the DP World Tour, of which he is still a member. Rahm dropped his appeal over the sanctions on 20 March, which leaves him in default to the DP World Tour and unavailable for Ryder Cup selection. He also turned down a deal that would have resolved the situation in return for playing six designated DP World Tour events.
Asked whether he is confident he will turn out for Europe at Adare Manor, Rahm said: “Yes.” The 2023 Masters champion added: “I didn’t think that going the legal route and going to court was good for anybody. I have faith in us and the DP World Tour, that we are going to find a good solution.
“We keep talking to them and we keep trying to negotiate. I have given in quite a bit in a few things. We’re going to work it out. As of now, the DP World Tour is doing what they need to do and following the channels they need to follow, but I’m confident this will be sorted out before I tee it up in September.”
Rahm’s timeframe coincides with the Irish Open, which will be staged at Donald Trump’s Doonbeg resort from 9 September. Rahm said he was unsure whether he is banned from DP World Tour competitions, but for the first time publicly named half a dozen events he would be happy to enter.
“I’m not planning to play until September,” he said. “So that’s a bit of a positive. If I were unable right now, it doesn’t matter since I’m not planning to tee it up until after August, like I have done in my career.
“I do intend to continue to support the DP World Tour. I’ve been very thankful to be a member. I’ve been very thankful to support the Tour and play some wonderful events.
“The Irish Open has been very good to me and I would love to make a return. Wentworth has been fantastic every single year, the Spanish Open, maybe even the Dunhill. We have some events like the French Open and the Omega [European Masters]. Those are events I’d love to have the chance to play.”
Rahm’s latest Masters tilt will begin in the company of Chris Gotterup and Ludvig Åberg at 1.08pm (6.08pm BST) on Thursday. The defending champion, Rory McIlroy, has been drawn with Cameron Young and the amateur Mason Howell. Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre will have the world No 1, Scottie Scheffler, and Gary Woodland alongside him.
