Jon Rahm Left Out as DP World Tour Grants Conditional LIV Release to Eight Golfers

Post by : Saif Nasser

The DP World Tour has announced that eight of its members will be allowed to play in LIV Golf events during the 2026 season under special conditions. However, one big name is missing from that list. Former world number one Jon Rahm was not granted a conditional release.

The decision has created fresh debate in the world of professional golf, where tensions between traditional tours and LIV Golf continue to shape the sport’s future.

The eight players who received conditional release include Tyrrell Hatton, Adrian Meronk, Tom McKibbin, Laurie Canter, David Puig, Thomas Detry, Victor Perez, and Elvis Smylie. These golfers agreed to certain requirements set by the DP World Tour in order to keep their membership while playing in LIV events.

According to the tour’s statement, the players must pay any outstanding fines, withdraw pending appeals against previous penalties, and increase their participation in DP World Tour tournaments. If they meet these conditions, no further disciplinary action will be taken against them for playing in LIV Golf events in 2026. They will also be allowed to retain their membership status.

The DP World Tour began fining players in 2022 for participating in tournaments that conflicted with its own schedule. In 2023, the tour won an arbitration case that confirmed its right to enforce those penalties. Since then, players who wanted to compete in LIV events have faced financial and legal challenges.

Jon Rahm’s situation is different from the other eight players. Rahm has openly stated that he will not pay the accumulated fines imposed by the DP World Tour. He has also appealed the sanctions against him. Because of this ongoing dispute, he was not included in the group that reached a compromise.

Rahm is one of the biggest names in modern golf. He is a former world number one and won the Masters Tournament in 2023. His absence from the conditional release list is significant. It raises questions about his future relationship with the DP World Tour and his eligibility for major team events.

One major concern is the Ryder Cup. Rahm has been a key player for Europe in past editions of the Ryder Cup. However, his ongoing dispute with the tour could put his eligibility for the 2027 Ryder Cup at risk. Eligibility rules require players to be members in good standing, and unresolved fines and appeals could complicate his position.

The compromise reached with the eight other players shows that the DP World Tour is willing to find middle ground. By requiring fines to be paid and appeals withdrawn, the tour aims to protect its authority while allowing players some flexibility.

The tour said the conditions accepted by these members will provide additional value to the DP World Tour and benefit the entire membership. This suggests that the organization is trying to balance discipline with cooperation.

LIV Golf has changed the professional golf landscape since its launch. Backed by strong financial support, it has attracted many top players with large contracts and a different tournament format. This has led to ongoing disputes with established tours like the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour.

For players, the choice between tours is not simple. LIV offers financial security and fewer events, while traditional tours provide ranking points, historic tournaments, and team competitions like the Ryder Cup.

Rahm’s decision to challenge the fines instead of paying them shows his strong stance. It also keeps his situation uncertain. While other players have chosen compromise, Rahm appears ready to continue the legal battle.

The coming months will be important. If Rahm and the DP World Tour find a solution, it could change his eligibility status. If not, one of Europe’s most talented golfers may miss future team events.

For fans, this story highlights how divided professional golf remains. The sport is going through a period of change, and decisions like this one show that finding unity is still a work in progress.

As the 2026 season approaches, attention will remain on both the players who accepted the conditions and on Jon Rahm’s next move. His future in the DP World Tour and the Ryder Cup will depend on how this dispute is resolved.