Jon Rahm 'completely forgot' about his LIV Golf fines

Jon Rahm says he 'completely forgot' about a key issue that could affect his future participation in the Ryder Cup. 

The former Masters champion was fined and suspended by the DP World Tour for playing in LIV Golf events without securing releases from the European-based circuit. 

Rahm knew he was going to be sanctioned before joining the PIF-backed breakaway in December 2023. 

But rather than pay the fines or ask LIV's financiers to settle them on his behalf, the Spanish golfer said he had absolutely intention of handing over any money. 

His stance was a tad surprising, with former Open champion Padraig Harrington among those to criticise the 30-year-old. 

Rahm and his European Ryder Cup and LIV Golf teammate Tyrrell Hatton are in the same situation. 

Both players have decided to appeal their fines and suspensions and it is understood their cases won't be heard until next year, giving both players the green light to participate in this month's matches at Bethpage Black. 

Rahm and Hatton retained their eligibility for Ryder Cup consideration by playing the minimum number of four DP World Tour events required. 

Hatton qualified for Luke Donald's dozen by virtue of his excellent performances in the major championships this year whilst Rahm relied on a captain's pick. 

"You know as much as I do," Rahm told reporters at Wentworth on Tuesday ahead of the BMW PGA Championship when asked for an update on the situation. 

A reporter asked: "Sometime after the Ryder Cup?"

"I have no idea," added Rahm. "I have no clue. To be fair, I completely forgot about, which is a good thing. I hope I forget about it until it happens."

Rahm said he was confident he will always be eligible for the Ryder Cup. 

"That's my goal," he said. 

Ryder Cup preparation

Rahm and 10 of his Ryder Cup teammates are playing this week. 

Austria's Sepp Straka is the only absentee as his wife Katie recently gave birth to their second child prematurely. 

Captain Donald confirmed their baby is okay but the golfer understandably wants to be at home before linking up with Team Europe. 

Rahm said there is a team dinner planned this evening. 

And he feels that he is on top of his game as he prepares to make his fourth Ryder Cup appearance. 

"I'm on top of things," Rahm said. "At least, I'd like to think I'm on top of things."

Sergio Garcia didn't help himself

Sergio Garcia, Europe's record point scorer in the Ryder Cup, missed out on a captain's pick. 

The Spaniard was among a host of ageing stars to resign from the DP World Tour in June 2022 after joining LIV. 

He settled those fines, thought to be in the region of £1m, last November in his bid to make his 11th appearance for Team Europe. 

But it was not to be, with captain Donald deciding to take essentially the same team to Bethpage that triumphed in Italy two years ago. 

Rasmus Hojgaard was the only new face, with the Dane replacing his twin brother Nicolai in the line-up. 

Garcia exclusively told GolfMagic he withdrew from last week's Irish Open as a direct result of missing out on selection. 

Asked if he believed Garcia had a realistic chances of being picked, Rahm said his heart was "always going to say yes".

"He's a good friend of mine, he's a Spanish player, and the moments we shared in Whistling [Straits] and Paris, personally I'm always going to want him around," Rahm said.  

"He did play good early on in the year, very, very good. He was playing incredible golf, maybe in some parts of the world that you weren't watching. 

"It seemed like from April on, he didn't keep that level. So I don't think he helped himself.

"I understand that while we are not earning points or the rankings, we need to make a really strong case to be picked. 

"Had he kept that level he might have been on the team but he didn't play as good as he could have. 

"Subjectively, I'm always going to root for him."