The DP World Tour has reached an agreement with eight LIV Golf players allowing them to compete in conflicting events in 2026, but Jon Rahm has declined the offer. This deal settles their sanctions in exchange for additional tour participation. Rahm's decision leaves his Ryder Cup eligibility in question.
The DP World Tour announced a landmark agreement on Friday with eight of its members who play on LIV Golf. The players—Tyrrell Hatton, Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, David Puig, and Elvis Smylie—have agreed to settle any outstanding sanctions and commit to additional DP World Tour events. In return, they receive special releases to participate in LIV Golf tournaments in 2026 without facing further disciplinary action.
Jon Rahm, however, rejected the deal before the deadline. Sources indicate his concerns centered on two conditions: paying his outstanding fines and playing extra DP World Tour events. Rahm has accumulated fines of up to $2.5 million since joining LIV Golf, and he had been appealing these sanctions alongside Hatton, which threatened their Ryder Cup prospects.
Hatton, by accepting the agreement, has withdrawn from the appeal and can now play LIV events this season without additional sanctions. This positions him for eligibility in the 2025 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor. Rahm's refusal means he will continue his appeal before an independent arbitration panel at an unspecified date. A loss could force him to relinquish his DP World Tour membership, barring him from Team Europe.
In a statement, the DP World Tour said: “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.”
