Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton will still receive fines and suspensions from the DP World Tour because of their switch to LIV, in the latest indication that much work needs to be done to secure the influential pair a berth in Europe’s next Ryder Cup team.
A sporting arbitration panel ruled last April that the DP World, formerly European, Tour was correct to impose sanctions on members who appeared on LIV without securing releases from their home circuit. The fines and suspensions range in value, depending on the impact on whatever DP World Tour event is taking place on the same week the golfers in question appear on LIV.
The framework agreement made between Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour was designed to bring an element of peace to the sport but schisms remain. Rahm, the Masters champion, and Hatton have switched to LIV in recent months while retaining the ambition of representing Europe at Bethpage in 2025. For that to happen, a change will still have to be made to the DP World Tour’s approach to disciplinary matters.
As of now, the duo will be treated precisely the same as other DP World Tour members who accepted LIV’s overtures. While the fines are not particularly relevant, suspensions that could prevent Rahm and Hatton from trying to qualify for the Ryder Cup or bar them from wildcards for the joust with the United States itself are clearly significant.
The Ryder Cup issue will be a key one for Guy Kinnings, who will replace Keith Pelley as the chief executive of the European Tour Group in early April. Pressure to introduce a process which makes it feasible for Rahm and Hatton to play in New York will come from other members of Europe’s team and the event’s sponsors, who do not want the Ryder Cup diminished because of LIV’s emergence. There is, however, also the insistence from some rank-and-file DP World Tour members that players should not be allowed to enjoy the best of both worlds between existing tours and LIV.
The Ryder Cup was just one element of intrigue as player directors of the PGA Tour met with Yasir al- Rumayyan, the governor of PIF, in the Bahamas on Monday. Tiger Woods was among those in attendance as the key parties attempt to plot a route forward which combines the PGA Tour with those who fund LIV. The weekend’s Players Championship is among the tournaments which have been materially harmed by LIV’s progress, owing to the marquee players who were in effect banned from taking part at Sawgrass.
Not that Scottie Scheffler had cause to care. The world No 1’s victory was his second in two weeks and represented a successful Players defence. Comparisons with the once-dominant Woods have now been drawn.
“Any time you can be compared to Tiger I think is really special,” Scheffler said. “But, I mean, the guy stands alone I think in our game. He really does. This is my eighth tournament win now out here, I’ve tied him in Players Championships. Outside of that, I have got 14 more majors and 70-some PGA Tour events to catch up.”
