Rory McIlroy expresses relief after Jon Rahm strikes tour deal: "Good it's all behind us"

Rory McIlroy has expressed his relief after Jon Rahm settled his long-running dispute with the DP World Tour (DPWT). 

The 31-year-old Spaniard will be eligible for next September's Ryder Cup after striking a deal to continue playing on the European-based circuit and end a protracted stand-off. 

Rahm had refused to pay fines for playing in LIV Golf events without official permission from the DPWT since making his debut for the breakaway league in 2024. 

But the two-time major champion explained before LIV's stop in Virginia that a solution has been found, with Rahm agreeing to pay fines believed to be in the region of £2m ($2.7m). 

"I think it's good that we have it all behind us," McIlroy told the Golf Channel after the first round of the Truist Championship. 

"I think as a European Ryder Cup player, we all know that having Jon on the team is better than not having him on the team.

"I'm glad that they came to an agreement. It took him a little longer to get there than some of the other guys, but he got there in the end, thankfully.

"It's good that we can put that behind us and move forward."

McIlroy was referencing the fact Rahm had previously turned down a waiver to end the dispute in March. 

Before LIV's event in Hong Kong, Rahm accused the DPWT of attempting to extort players as he explained why he turned down the offer. 

Eight players, including his Ryder Cup teammate Tyrrell Hatton, agreed to the terms which included the requirement to play in stipulated events on the DPWT in 2026. 

Rahm was asked to play six events instead of the usual requirement of four outside of the major championships. 

It's understood the deal he agreed will see Rahm tee up on the DPWT five times in 2026. 

"I just don't like the situation," Rahm previously said.

"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 [on the DP World Tour], 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."

At the time, the aforementioned McIlroy expressed his surprise. 

The reigning Masters champion said the terms were "softer" than what Brooks Koepka took to come back and play on the PGA Tour after he bolted from LIV Golf. 

"Look, the European Tour can only do so much to accommodate these guys," McIlroy said. 

"So, you know, if you want to play on the Ryder Cup you have to be a member of the DP World Tour. You have to be a member of the DP World Tour, you have to abide by the rules and regulations.

"And the rules and regulations were, okay, if you break the media rights agreement and you go and play in a conflicting event, you don't get a release, you're subject to fines."

He added: "We went really hard on the Americans about being paid to play the Ryder Cup and we also said that we would pay to play in Ryder Cups."

One man who will be delighted with the agreement is Europe's captain Luke Donald. 

Rahm has represented Europe on four occasions and been on the winning side on three occasions. 

He has amassed an overall record of 9-5-3 and is unbeaten in five matches with Hatton.