Jon Rahm has spoken about the fines from the DP World Tour and, seemingly unintentionally, has revealed news that could have significant repercussions. The golfer from Barrika has said he is not fully involved in the matter, which is why his statements might need to be taken with caution. However, at the same time, he has declared that the only thing he knows is that the European circuit is negotiating different agreements with each player individually. Needless to say, this could create a comparative grievance that might generate problems and complaints. It is obvious that each conversation is conducted with the utmost secrecy, but at the same time, in such a small world as golf, everything eventually becomes known.
Rahm made these statements ahead of the first LIV Golf tournament, which will open the season next Wednesday in Saudi Arabia. His confession came in response to a journalist’s question. There is a growing rumour behind the scenes of the DP World Tour tournaments and LIV Golf itself that this year, whose costs would no longer be covered by the PIF (Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia), the fines will be eliminated. It is possible that another criterion will be established, perhaps based on a minimum number of tournaments to play, but without financial penalties for each LIV tournament that coincides with one from the DP World Tour, regardless of the tournament, and regardless of whether that golfer has ever played it or not.
Ten Golf has been reporting for many weeks that everything points to the fines being eliminated this year or, at least, being significantly reduced. In light of this possibility, Rahm, who is still awaiting the resolution of his lawsuit against the 2024 fines, has declared the following:
“I don’t know much about the subject. At the beginning, it will be the managers who handle that. I don’t know how the negotiations are. Obviously, they are going to the players individually to make different agreements. I don’t know what it might be or how it will end up, but I’m glad to see that a way is being sought for LIV players to play in both circuits and not be penalised. I think the example of players like Tom or David Puig, who is now a winner on the European Circuit, who simply chose the best possible path as young players, should not be penalised by golf policy. The fact that they are looking for a positive way to fix it, I think is only good for us and I think it’s also good for the DP World Tour,” he commented.
Jon makes it very clear that different agreements are being negotiated individually, something that might not sit well with everyone, especially those who had to cover the full cost of their fines to return to the DP World Tour. On the other hand, Rahm is mistaken in equating McKibbin and Puig. McKibbin was already a member of the DP World Tour when he signed with LIV Golf, whereas Puig was not part of the European circuit. It is not comparable when it comes to receiving a penalty for breaching Tour regulations. In fact, if fines are finally removed for 2026, Puig will not have to pay any penalty, as this year is the first in which he is truly a full member of the circuit.
We will see what happens, although it is most likely that in the coming days there will be an official announcement, or it will become known through the media, about what will happen with the fines from now on. On the other hand, regarding Patrick Reed’s departure, Rahm has assured that “everyone is going to do what they think is best for them. At this point, I only wish him the best. I hope everything goes well for him. We are free to choose where we want to play golf. At least that’s how it should be. And he has made his decision, obviously. I have nothing against him. He has been playing fantastic golf and, if he wants to come back, he should have the opportunity to do so,” he explained. As for the freedom to play where one wants, it is also a rather relative concept, especially in LIV Golf with the million-dollar contracts they have signed.
In this regard, Hatton has had no problem acknowledging that Reed’s departure is not good news for the Saudi league. “His contract was up, he had options, and he decided that, for him, looking to the future, he wanted to return to play on the PGA TOUR. It’s his choice. He’s an incredible player. If he continued playing in LIV, it would make the league stronger, but he has chosen his path, and you can only wish him the best from now on”.
