Report: Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton appeals could extend beyond Ryder Cup
The appeals process of LIV Golf duo Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton could be delayed until after the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
The appeals process involving LIV Golf stars Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton could extend beyond the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, according to DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings who has spoken to The Guardian's Ewen Murray.
Last week it came to light that Rahm was allowed to return back to compete on the DP World Tour - and keep his Ryder Cup bid alive - as a result of having appealed his heavy fine with the DP World Tour.
The same process has applied for Rahm's Legion XIII and European Ryder Cup teammate Hatton, who made his return to the former European Tour circuit earlier this month at the British Masters at The Belfry.
Both Rahm and Hatton will be competing in a number of DP World Tour events following the conclusion of this week's LIV Golf season finale at the Team Championship in Dallas.
Rahm and Hatton will play in the Open de Espana next week followed by the Dunhill Links, with Rahm also competing in the Andalucia Masters.
They needed to return in order to play in at least four regular season events to maintain their memberships for both the DP World Tour and places on Luke Donald's 2025 European Ryder Cup team next September.
It was confirmed earlier this week that the DP World Tour had rejected LIV Golf's attempt to pay off Rahm and Hatton's fines.
One DP World Tour pro told GolfMagic he was pleased with that decision and said his Tour should 'let them suffer'.
One former European Ryder Cup player was fuming with the decision to allow Rahm and Hatton back on the DP World Tour.
But back to the top of the story, and the latest update on Rahm and Hatton's appeals process is that it could take a long time.
So long in fact that a decision might not even be reached by the time the 2025 Ryder Cup takes places at Bethpage Black in New York from 26-28 September.
If the process was to be delayed for whatever reason, then it would mean Rahm and Hatton would be eligible to compete in the 2025 Ryder Cup since their fines would still be under appeal.
“The lawyers involved will dictate the legal process as to when it gets done,” Kinnings told Murray.
“There’s no fixed, set formula to that, and so we’ll just wait and see how long it takes to reach that appeal process. In the interim, the most important thing that we are also doing is continuing to have the ongoing discussions about the future and those may or may not have some impact in that process.
“All I’ve asked them or any other member is work within the rules of the Tour. If you work within the rules of the Tour, you are absolutely welcome at a tournament. I was delighted to see Tyrrell at the Belfry [for the British Masters]. It is fantastic Jon is playing at the Spanish Open. That will make it a better tournament.
“What I’d like to do is have the situation resolved either at appeal or, if things develop in terms of conversations around the future of the game, who knows how things may adapt that. So long as it gets resolved one way or another, doesn’t get in the way of what we want to be doing in terms of playing best tournaments, best schedule as we can, make it as good a Ryder Cup as possible. From my perspective, I’m glad that people are wanting to work within the rules as they currently are.”
Rory McIlroy was pressed on the latest updates surrounding Rahm at his press conference at the BMW PGA on Wednesday.
McIlroy considers Rahm will be at Bethpage.
"Well, from my understanding, he is following the rules," said McIlroy.
"He appealed the decision or whatever it is that he did. So that makes him eligible, as long as he plays his minimum number of events, like Members of the Tour have to do to be eligible for the Ryder Cup.
"So I wouldn't expect someone that as a Member of the Tour, you know what the rules are to be able to play a Ryder Cup and be eligible, and as long as you meet that criteria, then you're okay to play."
There is anticipation a deal to unite the professional game could soon come about, which many believe would further heighten Ryder Cup eligibility for LIV Golf players.
As it stands, the PGA Tour and DP World Tour are continuing to thrash out their framework agreement with LIV Golf's bankrollers, the Saudi PIF.
Yesterday it was confirmed by the PGA of America that LIV Golf players will be eligible to compete in the US Ryder Cup team.
That will be music to the ears of both Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka.
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