DP World Tour grants conditional releases to eight LIV Golf players – Jon Rahm NOT Included

The DP World Tour has granted conditional releases to eight members to play in conflicting tournaments on LIV Golf during the 2026 season — but Jon Rahm is a notable absentee.

The Wentworth-based organisation confirmed the releases apply for the 2026 season only.

Ryder Cup star Tyrrell Hatton is among the players included in the agreement, alongside Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, David Puig and Elvis Smylie.

Rahm does not feature on the list. Sergio Garcia and Graeme McDowell are also absent.

In a statement issued on Saturday morning, which you can read in full below, the DP World Tour said each member has accepted the conditions specified for their release.

These include payment in full of all outstanding fines for breaches of the DP World Tour’s Regulations. 

The players will also participate in additional stipulated DP World Tour tournaments, as well as associated media activity and promotion.

In addition, they have agreed to withdraw all pending appeals.

Scroll below for the DPWT statement...

The DP World Tour's statement read:

“The conditions these members have accepted will provide additional value to the DP World Tour and benefit to the entire membership.

“Provided each member satisfies the conditions of their individual releases, no disciplinary action under the Regulations will be taken against them for playing in conflicting tournaments on LIV Golf in 2026 and they will retain their membership status.

“The releases apply for the 2026 season only and they are not precedent-setting. Requests for releases will continue to be considered on their individual merits in accordance with the Regulations that all members agree to abide by.”

While eight players have opted to accept the Tour’s conditions, Rahm has declined the opportunity to join the agreement.

Rahm Ryder Cup career in balance

Today’s Golfer understands Rahm rejected the deal due to concerns over two key requirements: the payment of his outstanding fines and a commitment to play additional stipulated DP World Tour events.

The two-time major champion has so far accumulated fines totalling up to $2.5 million from the circuit formerly known as the European Tour following his move to LIV Golf.

Alongside his Legion XIII teammate Hatton, Rahm had been appealing those sanctions — a case that has cast uncertainty over both players’ Ryder Cup futures. 

However, the Spaniard chose not to settle the dispute before Friday’s deadline. 

Hatton, by contrast, has accepted the terms. 

By paying his fines, withdrawing from the joint appeal and agreeing to fulfil additional DP World Tour obligations, Hatton will now be able to compete in LIV events in 2026 without incurring further penalties. 

The Englishman's withdrawal from the pending appeal clears the path for Ryder Cup eligibility, meaning he will be available for selection at Adare Manor next year.

Rahm's position is far less certain though. 

By declining the deal and continuing his appeal, his eligibility for Team Europe has been thrown into fresh doubt, leaving one of Europe’s most influential players facing an increasingly complicated route back to Ryder Cup contention.

We await for a response from Team Rahm.