Jon Rahm appeals fines in bid to keep Ryder Cup hopes alive

Tha Spaniard must play in three DP World Tour events to be eligible for the Ryder Cup

Jon Rahm has appealed against fines imposed by the DP World Tour (USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)

Jon Rahm has appealed against the fines imposed on him by the DP World Tour in a boost to his chances of making next year’s European Ryder Cup team.

Rahm had the choice of either paying his fines or appealing against them to be allowed to play in the three DP World Tour events he needs to retain his membership of the European-based tour and remain eligible for Ryder Cup selection.

The Spaniard said on Wednesday 11 September that he had ‘no intention’ to pay the fines and chose instead to put in his appeal before the the 12pm deadline for Spanish Open entries on Thursday.

A spokesperson for the DP World Tour told 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.”

The Ryder Cup is being played at Bethpage Black in New York next September and European captain Luke Donald, who led the team to a 16½-11½ victory at Marco Simone last year, says he is pleased with Rahm’s decision.

“I’m very happy to hear he made that decision - I know he was sitting on the fence a little bit,” Donald said his opening round at the Irish Open.

“Very glad he’s done that to allow him to play and create some time for things to hopefully figure themselves out.”

Rahm is not the only LIV Golf defector to make an appeal as Tyrell Hatton also became eligible to play in the British Masters earlier this month.

For both players, amongst others, the fines were a result of them featuring in LIV Golf tournaments that conflicted with DP World Tour events without requesting permission from the European-based circuit.

Talks between the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund that funds LIV Golf have been ongoing over a ‘framework agreement’ that could see the organisations merge together. These discussion began in June last year but little progess has been made.

“We’re all being very patient right now,” Donald added when asked about the agreement. “It’s been frustrating for a lot of the players to see how slow everything’s going. I’ve heard in the last couple of weeks there’s been a little bit more progress.”