Jon Rahm and the DP World Tour have settled their months-long dispute, clearing the way for the Spanish golf star to potentially participate in the 2027 Ryder Cup. But reinstatement and a return to the PGA Tour could be more difficult after Rahm offered up new details about his current LIV Golf contract and his feelings about the tour’s uncertain status beyond 2026.
Rahm announced the agreement with the DP World Tour during a news conference ahead of LIV Golf Virginia on May 5, and DP World Tour officials confirmed Rahm’s eligibility in a statement. The number of tournaments Rahm had to play to maintain his DP World Tour member status, as well as fines accrued for playing in conflicting events without a release, were among the issues that reportedly had to be resolved.
Rahm previously withdrew an appeal of his sanctions that had allowed him to enter DP World Tour events and play in the Ryder Cup last year. Rahm, however, revealed he still has “several years” left on his LIV Golf deal and has not yet considered any alternatives if the league were to not exist after 2026. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund officially announced last week that it would pull its funding following the end of this season.
“I’m pretty sure they did a pretty good job when they drafted that, so I don’t see many ways out,” Rahm said about his LIV Golf contract, according to Golfweek. “Right now, I’m not really thinking about it because we still have a season to play and majors to compete for. It’s not something I want to think about just yet.”
Rahm emphasized he still wants to play with LIV Golf if the league continues, but noted golfers had previously been told PIF funding would last for “many years.” Various reports have pegged Rahm’s contract with LIV Golf to be worth between $300 million and $500 million. An exact figure is not known.
LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neill told reporters on May 5 the emphasis will remain on team golf as the league looks to secure future investment, and that it’s still finalizing a business plan without Saudi backing.
“Honestly, I think the initial news and the rumors over there in Mexico, since we’re in a tournament week, I almost just tried to act as if it was just rumors,” Rahm said. “Because we’re competing, I didn’t want to waste any energy on an already demanding week thinking about it.
“For me, the reality kind of came afterwards. I would say, like everybody, surprised. Obviously unexpected. We did hear the news that there would be funding for many years. But then as the future of the league goes, I think that’s obviously a question for the businesspeople.”
Membership on the DP World Tour gives Rahm a home tour if LIV Golf does not survive. It appears he would have to wait at least one year to return to the PGA Tour, though even that’s unclear at this point.
Playing on the DP World Tour could allow Rahm to take the same pathway Patrick Reed is using to get back to the PGA Tour through its past champion category. Reed isn’t permitted to play on the PGA Tour until after this year’s FedEx Cup playoffs, in conjunction with one year after his last appearance with LIV Golf. Reed has been competing in DP World Tour events for most of the 2026 season.
What sanctions Rahm and other current LIV Golf members might face if they attempt to return to the PGA Tour are uncertain. Rahm left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf in December 2023 as a high-profile defection that reignited tension and ultimately prolonged the dispute between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf after the two sides had come to a framework agreement to join together.
Yes. Rahm is now eligible to be part of the European Ryder Cup team at Adare Manor in 2027 by regaining his status on the DP World Tour moving forward, either through earning enough Ryder Cup points to be an automatic qualifier or as a captain’s pick.
DP World Tour rules state players can maintain their membership while competing on different tours so long as they play in a minimum of four non-major DP World Tour events. But for LIV golfers, the requirement is six non-major DP World Tour events, with two chosen by the tour. Rahm did not initially agree to those terms like other European golfers playing with LIV Golf this season and said he did not intend to pay the fines related to those bylaws.
Rahm told reporters on May 5 both sides made concessions, though he did not elaborate on the deal.
“I was never worried about that,” Rahm said, according to ESPN. “There were some things I believed in that I wanted them to agree with me. I knew it was a matter of time. I also understand they have their bylaws, and they have to follow certain procedures, and things are never as easy or as fast as we think they would be – or at least I would have liked. But I was never worried.”
“The DP World Tour and Jon Rahm have come to an agreement on conditional releases to play in conflicting tournaments on LIV Golf during the remainder of its 2026 season,” the DP World Tour said in its statement on May 5. “This involves payment of all outstanding fines accrued from 2024 to date, along with participation in agreed DP World Tour tournaments (outside the majors) in the remainder of the 2026 season.”
Rahm is the two-time defending LIV Golf individual champion and he’s back up to No. 21 in the world golf rankings after winning twice on LIV Golf this season, including last month at LIV Mexico City. This is the first season in which the world golf rankings are awarding points for LIV Golf events.
Rahm, the 2023 Masters winner and 2021 U.S. Open champion, hasn’t finished inside the top five at one of golf’s majors since making the switch from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf. He finished in a tie for 38th place at The Masters last month after finishing 1-over par for the tournament.
–Golfweek contributed to this story
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