LONDON Jan. 14 (PA Media/dpa/ep) –
Spanish golfer Jon Rahm hopes that his appeal against the fines imposed for playing LIV events will not be held “before” the Ryder Cup to be held next September in the United States because it would not be “good for anyone” and He assured that his “plan” is to dispute it.
The one from Barrika, the Englishman Tyrrell Hatton and the Polish Adrian Meronk have appealed the monetary sanctions imposed for competing without permission on the new circuit promoted by Saudi Arabia, so they can play enough DP World Tour events to maintain their membership status and be eligible for September’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, but I can say that my plan is to be on that team in Bethpage,” Rahm said in a press conference prior to his debut at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, where he was clear about what will do if the appeal, which does not yet have a set date, is not considered and if he would pay the fines. “I don’t know what’s going to happen and I hope they don’t try to resolve the appeal before the Ryder Cup. I don’t think that would be good for anyone,” he said.
Players who initially joined the LIV in June 2022 appealed their suspensions and fines and were able to compete until April 2023, when an arbitration panel ruled in favor of the DP World Tour and upheld its right to enforce its regulations.
Two months later, the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) – which finances LIV Golf – announced that they had signed a ‘framework agreement’ aimed at ending this ‘civil war’ in golf.
Talks have continued since then and Rahm admitted he hoped the solution was closer than it seems at this point. “I think many of us would say that when that ‘framework agreement’ was signed more than a year and a half ago, things would be more advanced at this time,” admitted the Biscayan.
“And it is very difficult to know what happens behind closed doors, it depends on people who are much higher up than me. I don’t know what their vision is or what they expect from all this, but I think we are living in a golden age for golf, in which the possibilities are endless. A great tour in Europe and worldwide, the PGA Tour, and you have another great product with LIV and now you are even adding the TGL (an ‘indoor’ league promoted by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy). It’s golf, the possibilities are there right now,” he noted.
Rahm also reiterated his support for his compatriot Sergio García, who has paid heavy fines and rejoined the DP World Tour as he attempts to reach the European record of an 11th Ryder Cup appearance.
“For people who see him any day, Sergio García can hit from tee to green better than anyone on the planet, it’s that simple. He’s still that good and he’s still very valuable. I understand the change in circumstances. , but at the end of the day, being Spanish, a friend and a mentor, I’m obviously going to be partial to him. And I would love to see him in that team room. I think there will be a place for Sergio in the Ryder Cup at any time. “A matter of letting your sticks do the talking,” he sentenced.