Jon Rahm not backing down from DP World Tour after LIV Golf Hong Kong comments
It’s tough to find much sympathy for Jon Rahm after his recent remarks about the DP World Tour, as the feud between them rolls on into LIV Golf Hong Kong.
Eight LIV players have accepted terms that allow them to feature in DP World Tour events this season, but Rahm wasn’t one of them. He chose to walk away from the table, standing firm against the tour’s conditions.
The Spaniard has since offered some insight into what led him to that decision.
Jon Rahm shares why he hasn’t reached an agreement with the DP World Tour
Rahm criticised the DP World Tour, claiming they’re playing games. He said they want LIV players to play six of their events, with two of those starts being determined by those at Wentworth.
He stated that he would agree if it required four starts, but doesn’t appreciate being told where to play.
“I just don’t like the situation. I think we should be able to freely play where we want and have the choice to play where we want and not be dictated what we do. Especially myself. I can’t speak for others; only myself,” he said.
That last statement from Rahm comes across as rather hollow.
The DP World Tour isn’t without blame here. At first, they seemed willing to shut out several big names after they joined LIV, but made sure Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton remained eligible for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage.
The tour has also had to look after itself in recent years. While most of the top names left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf, it’s probably been the European circuit that felt it more than any other part of professional golf.
You’d think a compromise over event requirements could be found eventually.
But there’s a bigger issue with his comments—and that involves his current tour.
Rahm criticises DP World Tour as part of the ongoing feud
Jon Rahm has hit out at the DP World Tour in the latest escalation of his ongoing row. And this time, it’s hard to be on his side.
The LIV player insisted that he would be happy to play four events. However, he took issue with the idea of having two starts determined by Wentworth.
“I just don’t like the situation. I think we should be able to freely play where we want and have the choice to play where we want and not be dictated what we do. Especially myself. I can’t speak for others; only myself,” he said.
The truth is, while Rahm made a good point about wanting more flexibility, that’s not how elite sport works – even if you’re one of its best players.
The DP World Tour isn’t without blame here either. The original plan was to shut out several big names after they joined LIV, but later exceptions seemed designed to keep Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton eligible for Ryder Cup selection.
LIV Golf did offer Rahm a deal worth a reported $500 million in December 2023, so the extra commitments clearly weren’t a problem then.
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