Ryder Cup: Jon Rahm wants to appeal fines for playing LIV event delayed until after 2025 event | Golf news

Jon Rahm hopes his appeal against the penalties handed down for playing LIV events will not be heard before the Ryder Cup.

Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Adrian Meronk appealed the financial sanctions imposed for competing in a Saudi-funded breakaway without permission.

This means they are allowed to play enough DP World Tour events to retain their membership and qualify for September’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage.

No date or deadline has been set for the appeal, which prompted two-time DP World Tour winner Eddie Pepperell to suggest last year that it would “appropriately” not take place before Europe tries to claim its first win on American soil since 2012.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, but I can tell you that my plan is to be on that team at Bethpage,” Rahm said at a press conference ahead of his debut appearance at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, live on Sky Sports from Thursday.

Pressed on whether he would pay his fines if the appeal fails, Rahm added: “I don’t know what’s going to happen and I hope they don’t try to settle the appeal before the Ryder Cup.

“I don’t think that would be good for anyone.”

Rahm: Golf deal could take sport to another level

The players, who first joined 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 ratified its right to carry out its regulations.

Two months later, the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) – which funds LIV Golf – announced they had signed a “framework agreement” aimed at ending golf’s civil war.

Since then, talks have continued and Rahm admitted that he expected a solution to be closer than it seems so far.

“I think a lot of us would say that when that framework agreement was made over a year and a half ago, things would have been further along at this point,” the two-time major winner said.

“And it’s really hard to know what goes on behind closed doors. It depends on people who are much higher than me.

“I don’t know what their vision is or what they expect from it. But I think we’re living in a golden era for golf right now where the possibilities are endless.

“A big tour in Europe and around the world and a huge tour, the PGA Tour, and you have another big product with LIV and now you’re even adding TGL. When it comes to golf, the opportunities are already there.

“I think with good minds together you can end up with a product, and I say this all the time, that could put golf on another level in the world of sports. I’m still hopeful that it will happen.”

Rahm also reiterated his support for fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia, who has paid significant fines and rejoined the DP World Tour as he seeks a European record equaling 11th Ryder Cup appearance.

“For people who see him on any given day, Sergio Garcia can hit it from tee-to-green better than anybody on the planet,” Rahm said. “It’s that simple. It’s still that good and it’s still very valuable.

“I understand the change of circumstances. I get that. But at the end of the day, being a Spaniard, a friend and a mentor, I’m obviously going to be partial to him. And I’d like to see him in that team of rooms.

“I think there will be room for Sergio at the Ryder Cup at any time. He just needs to let his clubs do the talking.”

How can I watch golf on Sky Sports?

Sky Sports will have extended coverage from all four rounds of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, with featured groups live from 4am each morning Sky Sports Golf and bringing the bonus action before the main action.

Full coverage starts at 7.30am on Thursday and Friday before kicking off from 7am over the weekend, with all four rounds of the American Express PGA Tour and Latin American Amateur Championship also live on Sky Sports.

Stream the DP world tour, major competitions and more from NOW.