Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton’s DP World Tour suspensions cast further doubt on Ryder Cup role – Irish Times

Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton will still face fines and suspensions from the DP World Tour following their move to LIV, but the influential pair are set to earn a spot on Europe’s next Ryder Cup team. The latest indications are that much effort is needed to secure it.

The Sports Arbitration Board ruled in April last year that DP World (formerly the European Tour) was right to impose sanctions on members who appeared at LIV without securing their release from their home circuit. The amount of the fine or suspension will vary depending on the impact on the DP World Tour event held the same week as the golfer in question appears on LIV.

A framework agreement signed between Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour aims to bring an element of peace to the sport, but it remains divisive. Masters champions Rahm and Hatton have switched to LIV in recent months while maintaining their ambitions to represent Europe at Bethpage in 2025.

For that to happen, the DP World Tour’s approach to disciplinary matters will need to change. For now, the duo will be treated just like any other DP World Tour member who has accepted LIV’s offer. While the fine is not particularly significant, the suspension, which could prevent Rahm and Hatton from trying to qualify for the Ryder Cup or even competing in the U.S. home competition, clearly is.

The Ryder Cup issue will be key for Guy Kinnings, who will replace Keith Perry as European Tour Group chief executive in early April. Pressure to put in place a process that would allow Rahm and Hatton to play in New York will come from other members of the European teams and event sponsors who do not want the Ryder Cup to decline with the advent of LIV. However, there are also arguments from some rank-and-file DP World Tour members that a player should not be allowed to enjoy the best of both the existing tour and his LIV.

The Ryder Cup was just one element of interest as PGA Tour player directors met with PIF President Yasir Al-Rumayan in the Bahamas on Monday. Tiger Woods was among those in attendance as key officials tried to plot a future path that would combine his PGA Tour with the organization funding his LIV. This weekend’s Players Championship was one of the tournaments severely damaged by LIV’s progress due to a major player being effectively banned at Sawgrass.

Not that world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler needed to worry. Scheffler’s win was his second in recent weeks and represented the success of the players’ defense. Comparisons are now being made to the once-dominant Woods.

“Anytime I’m compared to Tiger, I think it’s really special,” Scheffler said. “But, I mean, I think this player is isolated in our games. He really is. This is my eighth win in the tournament here, tied with him for the Players Championship. . . . Outside of that, I still have 14 more majors and 70 or so PGA Tour events to play.”