Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton’s Ryder Cup futures in further doubt 

There will no quick fix to the Ryder Cup futures of Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton after it emerged both LIV Golf players are already receiving suspensions from the DP World Tour. 

Rahm and Hatton starred in Europe’s victory in Rome six months ago but jeopardised their chances of competing in next year’s showdown in New York when they joined the Saudi-funded breakaway league.

Last April, a sporting arbitration panel upheld the DP World Tour’s sanctions for members who compete in conflicting LIV tournaments without securing a release.

The fines imposed by the European circuit won’t damage the duo’s Ryder Cup chances, but the suspensions could stop Rahm and Hatton qualifying or being selected as wildcards in Luke Donald’s team.

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Unlike European stalwarts like Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter, both declared their intention to retain their DP World Tour memberships after accepting LIV’s overtures.

But Rahm and Hatton need to play a minimum of four events on their former domain in 2024 or they will lose their cards and risk being ineligible for the contest at Bethpage Black.

The Telegraph is reporting the pair have been handed one-tournament suspensions for each of the four LIV events they have competed in this season.

If nothing changes, it will then become increasingly difficult for Rahm and Hatton to retain their cards and become eligible for the Ryder Cup as there are still 10 LIV tournaments remaining in 2024.

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With their places on the European team still uncertain, pressure will likely grow to alter eligibility rules so that captain Donald can name Hatton and Rahm in his team.

After Rahm’s seismic move to LIV during the offseason, Rory McIlroy insisted that the DP World Tour must change their regulations to help give Europe the best chance of retaining the trophy.

The matter will be a focus for Ryder Cup director Guy Kinnings, who will replace the outgoing Keith Pelley as the chief executive of the European Tour group on April 2.

The 2025 Ryder Cup will take place at Bethpage Black on Long Island from from September 26-28.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.