"It's quite clear with the policy"- Luke Donald adamant that Ryder Cup eligibility rules will not change for LIV Golf players
The captain of the European team for the 2025 Ryder Cup, Luke Donald, has already begun preparations for the event. As in 2023, the question of the possible participation of players from LIV Golf is one that interests everyone.
The British Masters, which began on Thursday, August 29, is the first event that will award points for the European rankings. From the headquarters of the event, Luke Donald assured that the Ryder Cup rules will not be changed to favor the inclusion of any player.
Speaking specifically about the case of Jon Rahm, Luke Donald said that he hopes the Spaniard fulfills his obligations to the DP World Tour as he would "dearly love" to have him as an option for the team.
This is what Luke Donald said (via Golf Monthly):
"There's not going to be a situation where we're singling out one person to change the rule. It's quite clear with the policy that you either pay the fines or you can appeal them, and within that appeal time you can still play some DP World Tour events, so Jon [Rahm] absolutely knows what is required."
He added:
"He wants to play a few events and be eligible. I hope he does either pay the fines, or appeals and becomes eligible for my team because I would dearly love to have him be a part of that...We'd certainly miss and need Jon at Bethpage."
During his press conference, Luke Donald spoke in similar terms about the cases of Sergio Garcia and Tyrrell Hatton. The latter is playing the DP World Tour's British Masters at The Belfry.
What are the Ryder Cup rules that Luke Donald was referring to?
The process of integrating the European team into the Ryder Cup includes a points system and other details, but has one essential requirement: all players must be active members of the DP World Tour. They can play on other tours, but they must have an active European Tour card.
For LIV Golf players, the situation is more complex. In order to play events on other circuits that coincide with DP World Tour events, players must apply for and receive permission, which LIV players have not received.
By violating this rule, players are subject to fines and suspensions that they must abide by in order to maintain their circuit membership. They must also play a minimum of four tournaments a year, which is why Hatton, for example, is competing at the British Masters and will also play at the Spanish Open.
Although it is a complex scenario for the LIV Golf players, the door is not completely closed for them in the European team.
The CEO of the DP World Tour, Guy Kinnings, told BBC Sport last April that the rules would not be changed, but that if the LIV players paid their fines, suspensions, etc., they would be eligible to join the team.