Jon Rahm makes major announcement ahead of LIV Golf Virginia

Jon Rahm's says he has settled a long-running dispute with the DP World Tour. 

The Spaniard has been embroiled in stand-off with the European-based circuit since he joined the breakaway LIV Golf League in December 2023 for a reported £450m ($566.4m). 

Rahm has been fined heavily and hit with suspensions for competing 'conflicting' LIV Golf events. 

The argument threatened to rule Rahm out of last September's Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York. 

Rahm was allowed to represent the blue and gold in the Big Apple, though, after lodging an appeal at the last minute. 

He was crucial in Europe's 15-13 away win, contributing three points and forging a formidable partnership with his LIV teammate Tyrrell Hatton. 

At the turn of the year, though, he revealed he had no intention of paying the fines, reportedly in the region of £2.5m ($3.3m). 

And in March, he rejected a settlement offer that would have allowed him to compete in both organisations' tournaments without being fined. 

Eight players, including the aforementioned Hatton, agreed to the settlement. 

The golfers agreed to withdraw their appeals and pay their outstanding fines. 

Rahm said he was not going to agree to the conditions and accused the DP World Tour of attempting to extort players. 

His issue, he explained, was the requirement to play in six DP World Tour events instead of the usual four required to be a member. 

But ahead of LIV Golf's stop this week in Virginia, Rahm told reporters that the matter has now been resolved. 

"There's no longer a standoff," he said. 

"We were able to reach an agreement. There was some concessions on both sides. 

"I offered some; they extended an olive branch. Obviously we've reached an agreement. That will not be a stress anymore."

In a statement, a DP World Tour spokesperson said: "The DP World Tour and Jon Rahm have come to an agreement on conditional releases to play in conflicting tournaments on LIV Golf during the remainder of its 2026 season. 

"This involves payment of all outstanding fines accrued from 2024 to date, along with participation in agreed DP World Tour tournaments (outside the majors) in the remainder of the 2026 season."

The news comes amid a turbulent time for LIV Golf. 

Last week, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund announced that it would be cutting its funding following the conclusion of the 2026 season. 

In a statement released on Thursday, the PIF said that the "substantial investment required is no longer consistent" with the fund's investment strategy moving forward.

Rahm spoke to reporters about LIV's alleged demise before their event in Mexico. 

At that stage, there was no official announcement from the PIF. 

Rahm said he was not going to waste time worrying about whether the rumours were true or not. 

The two-time major champion has two wins this season on LIV Golf and has risen to No. 21 in the Official World Golf Ranking. 

He has three runner-up finishes in addition to his two victories in 2026.

Rahm made the cut on the number at this year's Masters and finished 38th overall at Augusta National.  

He is one of the pre-tournament favourites for next week's PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club.