Rory McIlroy can ‘conceive of a Ryder Cup team’ without Jon Rahm
Jon Rahm appealed against the fines imposed on him by the DP World Tour last week. The Spaniard revealed that he ‘does not intend to pay’ the $1.7 million fines but wants to play in three European Tour events, allowing him to compete at the upcoming Ryder Cup. Amid this, Rory McIlroy has come out to reveal that he can ‘conceive of a Ryder Cup team’ without the LIV golfer.
McIlroy was speaking in a press conference ahead of the BMW PGA Championship when he was asked to share his stance on Jon Rahm’s Ryder Cup selection situation. The Irishman reacted positively to a query on whether he could picture a European squad without the 2023 Masters champion. The four-time Major winner backed his answer by listing scenarios which would lead to leaving out the LIV star, including his health.
However, the PGA Tour star went on to note that Rahm would be a “wonderful addition” to the European Team based on his recent form.
Replying to a query on whether he could ‘conceive of a Ryder Cup Team without Jon Rahm,’ Rory McIlroy said, as quoted by ASAP Sports:
“Yeah. He could be injured; his game could go off... But Jon Rahm, the way he's playing right now and the way he's played since he turned pro in 2016 or '17 or whatever it is, Jon Rahm is a wonderful addition to the European Team.”
Interestingly, McIlroy further backed his former Ryder Cup teammate and said the latter has been “following the rules” by appealing the fines against him.
He added:
“Well, from my understanding, he is following the rules. He appealed the decision or whatever it is that he did. So that makes him eligible, as long as he plays his minimum number of events, like Members of the Tour have to do to be eligible for the Ryder Cup.
"So, I wouldn't expect someone that as a Member of the Tour, you know what the rules are to be able to play a Ryder Cup and be eligible, and as long as you meet that criterion, then you're okay to play.”
It is pertinent to note that McIlroy has famously opposed LIV Golf and its players in the past. However, the ace golfer has since changed his stance and called for the unification of the sides for the betterment of the sport.
Jon Rahm appeals against the $1.7 million fines
For the unversed, Jon Rahm has a whopping $1.7 million in fines placed on him by the DP World Tour. These were issued following his controversial big-money move to LIV Golf in December last year. The golfer recently spoke out against it and called on the officials to allow him to play in three DP World Tour events which would make him eligible for the 2025 Ryder Cup.
Interestingly, Rahm waited till last week’s Thursday 12 noon deadline for entries to the Spanish Open to file his appeal. The Spanish star expressed his wish to compete at his home competition scheduled to begin on September 26 at the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.
Following this, a DP World Tour spokesman said on Thursday (as quoted by BBC Sport):
“Jon Rahm has a pending appeal against sanctions imposed on him and in accordance with the DP World Tour's regulations, he is eligible to participate in the Open de Espana.”
As per rules, a golfer must participate in at least four European Tour events to qualify for the Ryder Cup selection. Jon Rahm currently needs to participate in three events, as the Paris Olympics count as one, to be eligible for the Ryder Cup.
As of now, the Legion XIII captain is not part of Luke Donald’s international side set to compete at Bethpage Black in New York next September.