It came as welcome news to European Ryder Cup team followers and it came as very good news to team captain Luke Donald.
The news that Jon Rahm agreed a conditional elease agreement with the DP World Tour last week that saw him pay off his fines and regain eligibility to be picked for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in Ireland.
Donald is elated that Jon Rahm and the DP World Tour have reached an agreement to settle their long-standing fines dispute, with the European Ryder Cup captain adding “even brothers fight”.
Donald also believed there was a scenario in which he could have been forced to step in to build bridges between Rahm’s future Ryder Cup team-mates or the DP World Tour, had a resolution not been found.
Rahm is now eligible to be selected for the 2027 Ryder Cup, after he paid all his outstanding fines owed to the DP World Tour, which were imposed on him for playing in LIV Golf events.Those penalties were believed to be around $3m.
EVEN BROTHERS FIGHT ….
Luke Donald @RyderCupEurope captain delighted @DPWorldTour and @JonRahmOfficial have resolved their differences ahead @TheAdareManor
Speaking @LukeDonald ahead this week’s @PGAChampionship
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✅ @TOURMISS pic.twitter.com/8fGu0MVbHf
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) May 13, 2026
“I’m not involved in the policy of the DP World Tour and the discussions between the parties,” Donald said ahead of this week’s 108th hosting of the PGA Championship.
“It’s not my job to tell Jon what to do, but I’m obviously very delighted that a resolution has happened and that he’s available as someone who can be a part of the Ryder Cup team.
Rahm had previously turned down the offer of a conditional release at the start of 2026, but that offer was accepted by eight other LIV Golfers, including Tyrrell Hatton and Tom McKibbin.
The terms of those arrangements were largely the same as Rahm’s; pay off fines and commit to a minimum of six events, two of which were at the tour’s choosing. Fulfilment of that criteria saw LIV players regain memberships.
Rahm subsequently accused the DP World Tour of “extorting” those players, but would later withdraw an appeal against his fines.
Asked whether he feels Rahm has some bridge-building to do with the DP World Tour or potential future Ryder Cup team-mates, Donald brushed off any doubts that the team won’t be unified come the 2027 tournament.
“I was glad a resolution had come to fruition sooner rather than later,” he said.
“I think the longer you leave that, the more onus is on me to potentially help with some of those bridges.
“Last two Ryder Cups, I’ve had to deal with the world of golf. It’s been very different from what we’ve ever seen before. I think there will always be people with different opinions and viewpoints.
“But when it comes to the Ryder Cup in the team room, I think they’re all pretty aligned.
“It’s obviously my job to make sure everyone is aligned. I likNewe to use the phrase, ‘even brothers fight sometimes’. But deep down, they love each other, and the mission is pretty clear when we play a Ryder Cup; to win.
“They understand that putting those feelings, those egos of different personalities, personal things to one side is important if you’re going to be successful.
“I don’t have any real qualms or issues that the team room won’t be unified.”
