The LIV Golf CEO is working on a rebrand, while Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton are waiting to know if they are eligible for the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland at Adare Manor
Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm waiting for appeal results(Image: Getty Images)
The LIV Golf CEO is working tirelessly to make changes to the Saudi-backed league, and is now working on the eligibility for two stars to play in the Ryder Cup.
The DP World Tour and LIV Golf are working together to confirm a Ryder Cup status for Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm, who are waiting for a response on an appeal submitted over a year ago.
The duo joined the PIF-backed league for the 2024 season, and knew the consequences would consist of fines and possible suspensions for competing in LIV events without tournament releases from the DP World Tour. The fines total to over $1 million for the European Ryder Cup stars, with a date for their hearing yet to be announced.
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Many believe the appeal will come out unsuccessful given the precedent that was set in May of 2023 when Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood all lost their cases.
They were considered for the 2025 European Ryder Cup team because of the delay in the appeal process as they reached the minimum number of starts needed.
Hatton qualified automatically for the team and Rahm relied on Luke Donald to trust him as a captain’s pick.
LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil is trying to rebrand and also hoping for good outcomes for Hatton and Rahm
Scott O’Neil, the LIV Golf CEO, believes the issue is going to be ‘returned to the table’ to negotiate a deal that would negate the need for a hearing.
“This is something that needs to be settled, and I’m looking forward to that day,” O’Neil told Telegraph Sport. “We’re having constructive conversations with Guy Kinnings [the DP World Tour chief executive] and his team. We are hoping that before the season starts, we can all come together in the best interest of golf and put this behind us.”
This year, the duo competed in the Ryder Cup, but in 2023 the DP World Tour forced Martin Kaymer to resign his membership with fines and other suspensions that made his dreams for the Ryder Cup unattainable after he defected to LIV.
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Kaymer was effectively shut out by the DP World Tour, while Rahm and Hatton saw different results.
Hatton and Rahm joined the PIF-backed league for the 2024 campaign, but opted not to quit the DP World Tour so they could play in the Ryder Cup, instead challenging their fines which they have no intention of paying. Hatton and Rahm have been able to compete while waiting for appeals to their situation to go through, appearing for Team Europe at Bethpage Black and essentially breaking rules in the process.
If their appeal is not approved, both golfers can kiss their chances at the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland goodbye.
