Jon Rahm is caught up in a power struggle with the DP World Tour, and the next Ryder Cup at Adare Manor seems to be at the centre of it.
Rahm declined an agreement after the DP World Tour put forward a plan to allow LIV golfers a route back onto their circuit.
Back in February, eight players from LIV were given clearance by the DP World Tour to play in tournaments on the Saudi-funded series.
Those who agreed to take part in the deal are now committed to playing six events on the DP World Tour this season.
This commitment also clears them for selection for Team Europe when Ryder Cup time rolls around.
Rahm was critical of what was offered, saying he does not want strict conditions placed on his schedule or playing locations.
The tournament is still 18 months away, but as things stand, there is a real possibility Rahm could be left out of the event at Adare Manor.
Jon Rahm might step back in clash with DP World Tour as Ryder Cup looms
Rex Hoggard and Ryan Lavner weighed in on Rahm’s situation during an episode of The Golf Channel Podcast with Rex and Lav.
With the Spaniard still at odds with the DP World Tour, Hoggard noted that it could be the LIV star who backs down first.
“They’ve already sent the offer out,” he said.
“It’s not as though they can circle back around and say, ‘Okay Jon, we’re going to try to give you another offer’. Because then the eight players who agreed this deal are going to want to sweeten their deal.
“So I don’t see how that happens. I think this turns into a staring contest.
“And as we get closer and closer to next year’s Ryder Cup, I actually think it’s probably gonna be Jon Rahm who blinks.”
Hoggard makes a good point there. The DP World Tour are not likely to change the terms of an offer they have already put out there.
If they did, you would expect those eight other players who accepted the original terms would also want their deals adjusted.
Rory McIlroy has his say on Jon Rahm’s offer from DP World Tour
Rory McIlroy said last week that he thought the deal on the table for Rahm was more than fair.
It is not just about the deal, though. McIlroy’s comments might stir up tension in the Ryder Cup team-room, and that is something Team Europe will want to avoid heading into a big year.
Hoggard also weighed in on the debate, backing up the Northern Irishman’s take and questioning what more Rahm could expect from the tour.
“I tend to agree with what Rory said about this situation last week,” he began by saying.
“He turned the question back on the reporter and said, ‘What else does the DP World Tour need to do?’
“They had negotiated, in good faith, and created a very clear pathway back, as Rory pointed out, and whatever sanctions Rahm faced weren’t nearly as much as what Brooks Koepka faced to come back to the PGA tour.
“Firstly, Koepka essentially played a $5 million fine that went to charity. He can’t play in the biggest events – the signature events.
“He can’t get bonuses this year. He can’t get player equity. All of those things are, quote unquote, punishments.
“And so when Jon Rahm says that no, this feels like extortion, I don’t know.
“I tend to disagree with what he’s saying right here, because I don’t know what else the DP World Tour could possibly do.”
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