Former Masters Champion and LIV golfer Jon Rahm said on April 7 that he plans on playing the Ryder Cup despite the ongoing negotiations with the DP World Tour. When asked about playing at Adare Manor, Rahm gave an emphatic “Yes.”
The DP World Tour previously fined eight other LIV Golf members for playing in LIV events that occurred simultaneously with DP World Tour events. Those eight members, including fellow Ryder Cup member Tyrell Hatton, paid the fines and agreed to play in two to three more DP World Tour events.
Rahm has previously claimed that the DP World Tour is extorting the players for their impact on tournament play. This has led him to dispute the fines and demands levied by the Tour.
On Tuesday, Rahm said, “We keep talking to them, and we keep trying to negotiate. I have given in quite a bit in a few things … We’re going to work it out. It’s going to work out. As of now, the DP World Tour is doing what they need to do and following the channels they need to follow, but I’m confident this will be sorted out before I tee it up in September.”
Rahm cannot play in DP World Tour events or the Ryder Cup until he resolves his issues with the organization.
Rahm Accused of Being a Distraction at The Masters
GettyEamon Lynch accuses Rahm of being a consistent distraction at Augusta National.
Due to the ongoing negotiations with the DP World Tour, analyst Eamon Lynch of the Golf Channel criticized Rahm for the distractions he has consistently brought to the Masters over the last several years.
He said, “This is the third time Jon’s shown up here since he won The Masters and it’s the third year he’s shown up with a distracting narrative going on around him of his own making.”
The distractions he refers to revolve around Rahm’s involvement with LIV Golf. The 2024 Masters happened soon after Rahm left the PGA Tour for LIV, which created a plethora of questions about his reasoning. Last year, people doubted Rahm’s form going into The Masters and wondered if LIV Golf hampered his overall golf game.
While not a complete criticism, Lynch wonders if “he’s like Seve. Maybe he plays better with a little bit of noise going on around him and a chip on his shoulder, but they’re all of his own making, and this is the third year in a row where we’ve had it.”
A Return to Form for Jon Rahm
GettyJon Rahm enters the 2026 Masters in some of his best form in recent years.
So far in 2026, Rahm has played some his best golf in years despite being on the LIV Golf Tour. In five events, Rahm has finished within the top 5 in all of them with three runner up finishes and a win at LIV Golf Hong Kong.
On approach, Rahm is gaining 0.98 strokes per round, his highest total since 2023 when he won The Masters. Rahm has also improved massively with the putter, which had regressed in recent years. He is gaining 0.66 strokes per round on the greens. That would be his highest total since 2020.
His history at The Masters is undeniable with five top 10s, three top 5s, and a win in 2023. With his form no longer a question until he tees it up, it’s possible we could see Rahm win his third major championship this week at Augusta National.
Former Masters Champion Jon Rahm Makes Ryder Cup Decision