The futures of Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton in the Ryder Cup are up in the air.
Both players have made it clear they don’t plan to pay the fines themselves. Instead, they’re looking for a compromise with the tour, but so far, there’s been no sign that one is coming.
This puts their Ryder Cup spots at risk. To be eligible, players must maintain DP World Tour membership. Without paying the fines, Rahm and Hatton could lose their places on the team.
McIlroy believes both should do what’s necessary to regain eligibility rather than relying on special treatment. He even suggested a way for them to return.
Rory McIlroy urges Rahm and Hatton to pay fines
One of the main talking points surrounding the Ryder Cup, aside from fan abuse and Keegan Bradley’s choices, was the revelation that American players were being paid to participate.
Luke Donald and his European squad leaned into that narrative early, highlighting their willingness to play without financial incentive as a point of pride.
McIlroy has since pointed out that Rahm and Hatton now have a chance to back up those words. Speaking ahead of the Dubai Desert Classic, he was asked whether he supported the DP World Tour’s decision to fine the LIV pair.
He responded: “Look, I think any organisation or any members’ organisation like this has a right to uphold its rules and regulations.
“And what the DP World Tour are doing is upholding their rules and regulations and we, as members, sign a document at the start of every year, which has you agree to these rules and regulations, and the people that made the option to go to LIV knew what they were.”
Asked directly if Hatton and Rahm should pay their fines, McIlroy replied: “Yeah absolutely. The main thing is – look, this is my opinion.
“We went really hard on the Americans about being paid to play in Ryder Cups. And we also said we would pay in Ryder Cups. There’s two guys there who can prove it.”
McIlroy’s comments on LIV Golf could have impact on Europe’s Ryder Cup unity
McIlroy is right to highlight the potential double standard, but in doing so, he could be undermining everything Donald and his team have built over this period of success.
Their strength has always come from their togetherness. Justin Rose captured it well after their win in New York, saying they play “for the badge and the boys.” It was that unity that helped them push through the noise and abuse from American fans.
But by pushing Rahm and Hatton to pay up, McIlroy could be driving a wedge into that unity. If Rahm and Hatton are set on not paying those fines, his comments probably didn’t go down too well with them.
And by speaking out like this, McIlroy might have also weakened any bargaining power Rahm and Hatton had in their dispute with the DP World Tour. This situation is far from over, and it’ll be interesting to see how it develops.
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