Lee Westwood weighs in on "tricky" Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton situation

Lee Westwood says the DP World Tour is caught between a rock and a hard place as he weighed in on the situation regarding Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton. 

LIV Golf recruit Westwood resigned from his home circuit in 2023 after it was determined the DP World Tour had the right to issue fines to players competing on the breakaway.

Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell, Richard Bland and Sergio Garcia also decided to hand back their cards so they could not be sanctioned further. 

Rahm and Hatton joined the PIF-backed league for the 2024 campaign but opted not to quit the tour so as to remain eligible for Ryder Cup selection. 

Their appeals - conveniently - were kicked into the long grass, allowing both players to help Europe achieve a truly remarkable away win over the U.S. at Bethpage Black. 

Westwood, Poulter, McDowell, Bland, Martin Kaymer and Patrick Reed were among those who challenged their LIV-related sanctions in 2022. 

The arbitration hearing was heard relatively quickly and a decision by Sports Resolutions UK was handed down within four months of the appeals being lodged. 

Rahm and Hatton are yet to find out their fate some 12 months later. 

"Their appeal must me due anytime now," Westwood wrote on X. 

"And it'll be interesting to see if their bans, fines [and] suspensions [are] consistent with the previous one[s].

"Tricky time and decisions coming up for the DPWT. Caught between a rock and a hard place."

It's likely Westwood was referring to whether or not the DP World Tour should continue the strategic alliance with the PGA Tour. 

The PGA Tour have a new chief executive, Brian Rolapp, and their appears to be little sign of a global outlook - especially with the backing from the Strategic Sports Group. 

Plenty of high-profile PGA Tour stars appear content with playing the majority of their golf in America only. 

And the 10 cards initiative has been criticised by current and former golfers.  

The alliance between the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour is up for renegotiation from 2027. 

Should the DP World Tour explore a partnership with LIV's financiers?

Guy Kinnings, the DP World Tour's chief executive, told BBC Sport last week that the alliance "remains strong" and he works closely with Rolapp. 

But it is clear there is plenty at stake. 

Paul McGinley told bunkered last week the decision over Rahm and Hatton's situation is much bigger than the Ryder Cup. 

"It’s a European Tour decision," he told the publication. 

"The future of the European Tour and the sustainability of the Tour and where the strategic alliance fits in with all of that too, with the Americans obviously helping out the European Tour financially at the moment. 

"This decision and strategy of the DP World Tour is much bigger than the Ryder Cup in this instance. 

"I'm not involved or not on the board at the moment but it’s a tricky situation. 

"On one side we’ve got the strategic alliance and the importance of hitching a wagon with the PGA Tour has been clear to see in the last few years. 

"I believe that’s a very good deal for the DP World Tour."

McGinley acknowledged it would be a huge body blow for Ryder Cup Europe if Rahm and Hatton miss out on representing the blue and golf at Adare Manor in 2027.

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