McIlroy challenges Ryder Cup teammates to settle fines
Rory McIlroy has issued a pointed challenge to fellow Ryder Cup stars Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, calling on the LIV Golf pair to settle their outstanding DP World Tour sanctions, reports BritPanorama.
Speaking at the Dubai Desert Classic, the world number two suggested that now is the time for the duo to demonstrate their commitment to European golf. McIlroy highlighted the criticism directed at American players for accepting payment to participate in the biennial contest.
“We went really hard on the Americans about being paid to play the Ryder Cup, and we also said that we would pay to play in Ryder Cups,” he remarked. “There’s two guys that can prove it.”
Rahm and Hatton have accrued fines amounting to several million pounds since their move to the Saudi-backed circuit two years ago, with Rahm’s bill estimated at around £2.6 million. Both players have expressed that they will not pay the sanctions outright, opting instead for a compromise with tour officials.
Their participation in the recent Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black was only possible through a protracted appeals process that remains unresolved. With the legal landscape appearing unfavourable for the pair, the DP World Tour has established precedent in its favour.
Failure to settle the disputes could jeopardise their membership and eligibility for the 2027 contest at Adare Manor. McIlroy defended the tour’s stance on enforcing its regulations, stating, “any members’ organisation like this has a right to uphold its rules and regulations.” He emphasised that members agree to these rules annually.
The Northern Irishman’s comments underscore a perceived contradiction in Rahm and Hatton’s position. Having previously championed a European ethos of playing for pride rather than payment, both players now find themselves resisting financial obligations to the organisation that enables their Ryder Cup involvement.
Hatton, currently defending his title in Dubai, responded cautiously to McIlroy’s remarks. “I’ve literally just come off a Pro-Am so I don’t really have anything to add to what he said,” he told the press. He noted that discussions continue behind the scenes, with negotiations still in the hands of legal teams.
Hatton expressed a desire to remain part of future European teams, having participated in the last four Ryder Cups. Meanwhile, reports suggest that a resolution to the sanctions could materialise before the LIV season commences on 4 February. The golf world will be watching closely as the tensions unfold, illustrating how financial commitments increasingly intersect with sporting loyalties.
