Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton given Ryder Cup lifeline

LIV Golf stars Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton have been told they will have the chance to compete in next year’s Ryder Cup.

It was feared that the European duo would not be eligible to play in New York after defecting to the Saudi-backed circuit last year.

But newly installed DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings has squashed those concerns, admitting regulations will not need to be re-written.

Kinnings told the Guardian there has been a “misconception” over their eligibility.

He added there is no reason why LIV golfers can’t qualify or be available for selection, should they be a member of the DP World Tour and ‘abide by the rules as they currently are’.

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Rahm and Hatton both admitted there Ryder Cup futures were under threat after making the move to LIV Golf, but Kinnings has eased the uncertainty.

The Englishman, who took over from Keith Pelley this month, has revealed they need to pay outstanding fines and play at least four events to remain members.

Fines and one-week suspensions have been headed towards the players every time they tee it up on LIV Golf, but Kinnings has found a way past serving them at the end of the season.

Kinnings said they could serve the bans in the weeks where LIV rests throughout the calendar, despite having no intention of playing in the accompanying events.

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Therefore, Rahm would be able to compete in the in the Andalucia Masters, the French Open and, should he qualify, the season-ending play-offs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Meanwhile, Kinnings added that the qualification rules for 2025’s bust up at Bethpage could be altered, although said this would be highly unlikely.

“It’s not a loophole, because that’s the rules that we’ve always had,” he said. “And those are the rules we’re just going to continue to apply. They’ve been tested.

“I’ve got the guys who analyse this in detail, they’ve looked at it and said, ‘it’s up to him and his team’. We’ve spoken to them, and they want to do it the right way.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.