Donald pleased as Jon Rahm appeal clears way for Ryder Cup qualification
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European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has welcomed Jon Rahm’s decision on Thursday to appeal the fines imposed on him by the DP World Tour following his defection to LIV last December. The move from the Spanish major winner clears the way for him to qualify for next season’s Ryder Cup, with Donald a relieved European captain.
While appealing the fine, Rahm is free to play DP World Tour events, including next week’s Spanish Open, one of three tournaments he needs to complete in to fulfil his minimum number of qualifying events. The appeal was lodged with DP World Tour ahead of Thursday’s noon deadline for entries.
Rahm has become an integral member of the European team, which under Donald regained the Cup at Marco Simone in Italy last year. The 2025 renewal against the USA at a potentially hostile Bethpage in New York will require Europe’s biggest characters involved, of which Rahm is definitely one.
Donald, speaking at Royal County Down on Thursday following his opening round at the Amgen Irish Open, is hoping the ongoing merger talks between LIV backers the Publlic Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and the PGA Tour and DP World Tour will finally be resolved by the time the Ryder Cup rolls around on New York’s Long Island in 12 months' time.
“Very happy to hear he made that decision,” Donald said. “I know he was sitting on the fence a little bit, and glad that he's done that and being allowed to play and create some time for things in the world of golf to hopefully figure themselves out.
“I think we are all being very patient right now. It's 15 months since Yasir (Al-Rumayyan, governor of PIF) and (PGA Tour commissioner) Jay Monahan got together.
“It's been frustrating I think for a lot of the players to see how slow everything has been going, and I'm sure it's been frustrating for Jon as well. But I think this hopefully gives some time for hopefully things to happen. I've heard in the last couple weeks there's been a little bit more progress.
“It's not fun for me to deal with, and it's not fun for anyone to deal with; and I'm glad Jon decided to appeal and he can play his events in which he wants to play and be eligible. I know the Ryder Cup means so much to him, and I'm sure that was a massive factor in his decision.”
