More…
Last updated:
The DP World Tour will allow eight of their members to play in conflicting LIV Golf events in a seismic deal for the 2026 season – but Jon Rahm has rejected the olive branch.
Following prolonged talks with individual members, LIV stars Tyrrell Hatton, Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, David Puig and Elvis Smylie have all agreed to settle any outstanding sanctions and participate in additional DP World Tour events to get these special releases from Wentworth HQ.
But in a surprise twist, Rahm is not on the list of players who have agreed to the conditions and the Spaniard’s fines saga will rumble on.
TG has learned that Rahm rejected the chance to accept the deal because of concerns over two of the conditions. Rahm has not agreed to pay his outstanding fines and play in additional stipulated DP World Tour events in return for the chance to play freely on LIV without racking up more sanctions.
So far, Rahm has incurred up to $2.5million in fines from the formerly known European Tour since joining the LIV breakaway. Alongside Hatton, he has been appealing these sanctions in a case that has been jeopardising the pair’s Ryder Cup future.
But Rahm turned down the chance to settle the dispute before Friday’s deadline, while Hatton can play LIV events this season without accumulating any further sanctions. Hatton has been withdrawn from the pending appeal with Rahm and will therefore be available for next year’s Ryder Cup.
Rahm’s eligibility for Team Europe, however, has now been thrown into further doubt and it appears he will press ahead with his plan to appeal his sanctions. If Rahm loses the case, heard by an independent arbitration panel at an unknown date, he would be forced to give up his DP World Tour membership and therefore be unavailable for the match at Adare Manor.
A DP World Tour statement on the other eight members read: “The conditions these members have accepted will provide additional value to the DP World Tour and benefit to the entire membership.
“Provided each member satisfies the conditions of their individual releases, no disciplinary action under the Regulations will be taken against them for playing in conflicting tournaments on LIV Golf in 2026 and they will retain their membership status.
“The releases apply for the 2026 season only and they are not precedent-setting. Requests for releases will continue to be considered on their individual merits in accordance with the Regulations that all members agree to abide by.”
Ben is Today's Golfer's senior writer. He has covered a number of events including The Open, Masters and Ryder Cup, and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the game.
If he's not at a golf tournament, you'll often find Ben in the Stretford End watching Manchester United. He is also a keen follower of the (failing) Wales rugby team.
Ben is a lefty and plays his golf at Halifax.
By Ben Parsons
Senior Digital Writer
© 1962-2026 Bauer Media Group
Bauer Media Group consists of : Bauer Consumer Media Ltd, Company number 01176085; Bauer Radio Limited, Company number: 1394141; Registered office: Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6EA and H Bauer Publishing, Company number: LP003328; Registered office: The Lantern, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL All registered in England and Wales. VAT no 918 5617 01
H Bauer Publishing are authorised and regulated for credit broking by the FCA (Ref No: 845898)