Luke Donald to hold Jon Rahm talks over Spaniard's Ryder Cup future

After leading Europe to wins over the Americans in Rome in 2023 then New York last year, Donald has decided to stay at the helm for a third term for the centenary edition in County Limerick next September.

The Englishman will be bidding to become the first captain from either team to win three matches in row, admitting the chance to write his name in the record books was “something I couldn’t say no to”.

It seems likely that Donald, who has never tasted defeat in a Ryder Cup as a player or captain, will stick by his tried-and-tested formula in terms of vice captains, with Edoardo Molinari almost certain to be his right-hand man once again.

He could make some tweaks to the qualification process, but, after seeing 11 of the 12 players who were involved in Rome also be on duty in New York, it definitely won’t be anything too drastic.

One thing that Donald will want to see resolved as he prepares to get his teeth into the job again is Rahm’s ongoing dispute with the DP World Tour over fines imposed for the Spaniard playing in LIV Golf events without an official release,

A week past Saturday, the DP World Tour announced it had struck an agreement with eight LIV Golf players for conditional releases to play on the Saudi-backed breakaway circuit this season.

They included Tyrrell Hatton, a member of Donald’s teams in both Rome and New York, but Rahm, his Legion XIII captain, is refusing to accept the same terms, revealing earlier this week that a requirement by the DP World Tour for players to play an additional two events over and above the required minimum of four was the sticking point.

‘They’re extorting players like myself’

Speaking in Hong Hong, he hit out at the Wentworth-based organisation, saying: “I don’t know what game they’re trying to play right now, but it just seems like in a way they’re using our impact in tournaments and fining us and trying to benefit both ways from what we have to offer, and it’s just in a way they’re extorting players like myself and young players that have nothing to do with the politics of the game. So I don’t like the situation and I’m not going to agree to that.”

Following his reappointment for Adare Manor, where he expects owner JP McManus to play his role in putting on a show that is “fitting” for the centenary edition, Donald sat alongside Guy Kinnings, the European Tour Group’s chief executive, as he spoke on a video call.

Asked about Rahm and whether or not the ‘peace deal’ with the other LIV Golf players who are still DP World Tour members had been a factor in his decision, the former world No 1 said: “Well, first day on the job, so I haven't talked to him yet, but obviously I will talk to Jon. We have a great relationship, and he's been a tremendous team-mate and player for me the last two Ryder Cups.

“It's great to see the clarity amongst the other players that have signed the conditional releases and understand that they are available. Obviously, I haven't talked to Jon so I don't really want to comment on that yet. I know he has his own reasons. But I look forward to catching up with him and really hope that he's available.

“But, to answer the question, no really that wasn't a factor in my decision. My decision was having the backing of players and the backing of my family, and the opportunity. I think the last two Ryder Cups have been an amazing focus and an amazing purpose for me and given me something to really get my teeth around. I've really enjoyed the experience of being captain.”

‘There’s plenty of time’

Donald was asked if he felt concerned about the possibility that Rahm, who has played in four Ryder Cups, tasting victory in three of them, might not be involved in Adare Manor if he continues to dig his heels in.

“There's 16-17 months until we tee off. There's plenty of time,” he insisted. “I think every time I've been captain, there's always challenges to overcome. So it's never a smooth road. There's always bumps in the road. Obviously my plan and my hope is that Jon is available for that team. As I said, he's been a tremendous team-mate, a tremendous player and has given us so much. But I'll have to have that conversation soon and see where his head is.”

Kinnings, who hailed Donald’s decision to stay on as captain, was asked about Rahm and the two-time winner accusing the DP World Tour of “extorting players”.

“Our job is very straightforward. My job is very straightforward,” he said. “We are just administering the rules that we have in place, and we announced, I think it was 11-12 days ago, the approach we were taking on conditional releases, which is a precedent we've set, and a number of the guys signed up and Jon didn't. That was his decision.

“All we are looking to do is do what's best for the Tour as a whole, for the membership as a whole, and the arrangements we have struck will support the Tour. It will help improve the product, and that will lead to happier promotors, sponsors, broadcasters. It's our job to deal with those rules that are in place and have been tested and proven to be fair, and that's what we're doing.”

‘It is pretty straightforward’

Kinnings was also asked what the options are now for Rahm, who needs to retain his DP World Tour membership to be eligible for the Ryder Cup and looks as though he is playing a dangerous game in terms of alienating European fans.

“I think it's pretty straightforward,” he insisted. “You know, he either withdraws an appeal and settles fines or he goes through the appeal process, and that process is underway. And then we'll obviously then have to go with whatever the decision is made in that appeal hearing.”