LIV Golf: Jon Rahm issues blunt response to Rory McIlroy's 'pay up' demand

Jon Rahm says he understood the position Rory McIlroy took after the Northern Irishman called for the two-time major champion to settle a long-running dispute with the DP World Tour but he isn't budging.

Last week, the Spaniard was offered the opportunity to end a protracted saga with the European-based circuit. 

He was offered the chance to play the full LIV Golf season without being hit with fines and suspensions from the DP World Tour. 

But in return Rahm was expected to drop his appeal, forego any future right to one, settle his bill and commit to six events on the schedule, up from four. 

It would have - at least temporarily - ended any uncertainty over his Ryder Cup future.

Eight players, including his Ryder Cup teammate, Tyrrell Hatton, have accepted the deal. 

In January, McIlroy challenged Rahm to prove his commitment to the European team considering they went "really hard against the Americans" for being compensated for the first time in Ryder Cup history. 

"I think I responded to that a few weeks ago and I said, that statement would make a lot more sense if all 12 of us were being asked to pay, not only just the two of us," Rahm told reporters ahead of LIV Golf Hong Kong.

"There's more intricacy that goes into this whole situation, right. While I understand why he's saying that, we all do it for the love of the game, it's a different situation than what we usually see.

"I'll gladly pay my way to go on the Ryder Cup, not have to pay to still be a member of the DP World Tour and fulfill a commitment that I'm fully willing to commit."

Asked to explain his position, Rahm said: "Well, my position hasn't changed in a week. I don't like what they're doing currently with the contract they're having us sign. I don't like the conditions. 

"They're asking me to play a minimum of six events, and they dictate where two of those have to be, amongst other things that I don't agree with.

"If we just go based on that... I've been a dual member my whole career, PGA Tour and DP World Tour. 

"Now with LIV Golf being accepted in the world rankings as part of the ecosystem, you could almost say a three-tour member, even though I'm suspended from the PGA Tour.

"But I've always been a dual member. Never once have I been asked for a release to play either one of those tours. We've never submitted a release. 

"So why is it now that we need to be offering this and there's all these penalties? I understand why they're doing it. What's the problem?"

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Rahm initially appealed his fines in 2024. It is understood his bill is in the region of $2.5m. 

"I just don't like the situation," he added. 

"I think we should be able to freely play where we want and have the choice to play where we want and not be dictated what we do. Especially myself. I can't speak for others; only myself.

"I've always committed to play the minimum requirement, and I think I've played four events, including the Spanish Open, every year except one as a pro, and I commit to do that. That's not going to change. I still fully intend to do that.

"Now, with the LIV and the major schedule I don't think I'm going to be able to do so until our playoffs or our last events are done. But given on the back nine, right, we have the Omega Masters, I believe, Irish Open, Wentworth, French, Dunhill, Spain.

"Out of those events, I would love to play my four in there given I'm going to the Spanish Open, three of those I am going to play, and I fully intend to play three of those. I would love to.

"I don't know what game they're trying to play right now, but it just seems like in a way they're using us to - 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."

Rahm said he would have accepted the terms if he was required to play four events and not six.

"They haven't agreed to that. I just refuse to play six events. I don't want to, and that's not what the rules say."