LIV Golf drop huge bombshell that could have major implications on Ryder Cup team

LIV Golf has confirmed to Telegraph Sport it will no longer pay DP World Tour fines for its players starting next season.

As has been the case for DP World Tour members crossing over to LIV Golf since its inauguration exactly three years ago this month, heavy fines have been dished out by the former European Tour circuit. 

But the Saudi-bankrolled LIV Golf circuit has had the backs of its players by helping them pay off their fines. 

Multiple European Tour legends such as Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson lost their appeals over DP World Tour fines in 2023 and they consequently terminated their long-term memberships of the circuit. 

Sergio Garcia also followed suit, only for him to make a U-turn on his decision last year so that he could attempt to make a joint-tying 11th Ryder Cup team this September, something that currently remains in the balance. 

Garcia's decision to return to the DP World Tour was made much easier given LIV Golf helped pay nearly £1m in fines. 

GolfMagic first brought you news of Garcia submitting his application to the DP World Tour back in November 2024. 

Then of course there is the ongoing saga of Legion XIII and European Ryder Cup teammates Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, who have both appealed their fines in order to remain members of the DP World Tour. 

Rahm's manager, according to Telegraph Sport, has told DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings he has "no intention of paying the fines."

It remains to be seen what Rahm's team make of LIV Golf's latest decision though, since the league is going to pull the plug on paying off DP World Tour fines as of 2026, according to Telegraph Sport. 

Telegraph Sport understands LIV Golf has already "sent in roughly £15m in sanctions with the potential for another £8-10m in outstanding fines" should Rahm and Hatton's appeals both prove unsuccessful. 

Rahm and Hatton's appeals hearing will, rather conveniently for the DP World Tour and European Ryder Cup team, take place after September's biennial dust-up at Bethpage. 

Therefore Rahm and Hatton will both be competing at the 2025 Ryder Cup, which will be a huge positive for Donald's Europe who go in search of a first away win in 13 years. 

Depending how the global landscape of the professional game shapes out over the coming months and years, who knows exactly how damaging of an impact LIV Golf's latest financial update could have on the future of the European Ryder Cup team. 

The DP World Tour confirmed on Tuesday that the Ryder Cup will be headed back to Spain in 2031, a contest Rahm thinks is tailor-made for Garcia to become the captain on home soil. 

There is no such worry for the United States Ryder Cup team right now since their team is run by the PGA of America, and not the PGA Tour where members who crossed over to LIV Golf remain suspended until further notice. 

Telegraph Sport also confirmed earlier this week that US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley has shook hands on a captain's agreement with European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald in order for him to still compete as a player-captain at Bethpage. 

Ryder Cup legend Sam Torrance believes Bradley is making a bad decision if goes down that route. 

"It's 100% chaos," said Torrance.

Read Torrance's full comments here