Spanish golfer Jon Rahm is unsure when a third-party arbitrator will hear his request for a fine and suspension from the DP World Tour for competing in LIV Golf events in 2024.
But the world’s No. 1 golfer knows one thing: He plans to be on the European team when it takes on the US in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black Golf Course in Farmingdale, New York, September 23-28.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I can tell you that my plan is to be on that team in Bethpage,” Rahm told reporters at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic on Tuesday.
Rahm, a two-time major winner and LIV Golf’s one-time defending champion, appealed his ban in September, allowing him to continue playing in DP World Tour events to meet the four starts required for Ryder Cup consideration.
LIV Golf members Tyrrell Hatton of England and Adrian Meronk of Poland also served their DP World Tour bans. The three were slated to compete in LIV Golf events held concurrently with the European circuit.
It is not known when the independent panel will hear the golfers’ appeals. They are still eligible to compete in DP World Tour events, including this week’s tournament at Emirates Golf Club, where Rory McIlroy is the defending champion.
DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings told reporters at the DP World Tour Championship in November that his circuit would not try to influence the hearings.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, and I hope they don’t try to settle the complaint before the Ryder Cup,” Rahm said. “I don’t think that would be good for anybody. But my plan is to be in Bethpage.”
Rahm is currently 17th on the European Ryder Cup team points list (275.8), well behind leader McIlroy (792.07).
The top six finishers on points after the Betfred British Masters on August 24 will automatically qualify for the group. Captain Luke Donald will pick six captains.
Rahm earned the European team three points in its 16½ – 11½ victory over the US team in the 2023 Ryder Cup at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club outside Rome.
At Bethpage Black, a European team will try to win on US soil for the first time since 2012.
Rahm said he still hopes the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund can reach an agreement to end the huge divide in men’s professional golf.
“It’s hard to say right now,” Rahm said. “I think many of us would have said that if that framework agreement had been made a year and a half ago, things would be going on right now. And it’s really hard to know what’s going on behind closed doors, isn’t it? Right? To people much higher than me.
“I don’t know what their vision is or what they expect from it, right? I think a lot of us are looking for some kind of resolution to come together and get the best possible product for the consumer, which I think we’re in a position to do.”
Source link
