Ryder Cup legend backs Rory McIlroy: "Then it will get interesting!"

European Ryder Cup legend Lee Westwood has backed Rory McIlroy after the Northern Irishman called for Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton to pay their multi-million pound fines to the DP World Tour. 

The Englishman and Spaniard have been fined for competing in conflicting LIV Golf events whilst remaining members of their home circuit. 

Both players, who joined the PIF-backed breakaway for the 2024 season, were allowed to play in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black last September as they lodged an appeal with a sports arbiter. 

The appeal — which critics say has progressed at a deliberately glacial pace to preserve their eligibility to represent the blue and gold — allowed both players to compete in the minimum number of events required for qualification.

Hatton qualified automatically by virtue of his good performances across the DP World Tour and in the major championships whilst Rahm relied on a captain's pick from Luke Donald. 

Their cases are yet to be heard but many believe is doomed to failure given the precedent that was set when the aforementioned Westwood, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia tried and failed to get their £100,000 fines overturned. 

McIlroy, who now believes there will be no unification in the elite men's game, called on Rahm and Hatton to pay up. 

He referenced the fact several European players "went really hard on the Americans" for being paid to compete in the Ryder Cup for the first time in its 98-year history only a few months ago. 

McIlroy previously said he and others would pay for the privilege to participate in the biennial dust-up. 

"Prove it," was the message from McIlroy to Rahm and Hatton before he attempted to grab a fifth Rolex Series title at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. 

Westwood, who has frequently disagreed with McIlroy over the last few years during the unprecedented disruption in the men's game, took to X on Wednesday evening to implore the DP World Tour to set Rahm and Hatton's appeal hearing next month. 

"Then nobody can have any complaints," he said. "Everyone will have been treated the same. 

"If they lose their appeal they either have to pay the fines and can carry on or not pay the fines and resign and not be available for Ryder Cup. 

"Then it will get interesting!"

Hatton, who will play with McIlroy during the first two rounds at Emirates Golf Club, told media on Wednesday he "didn't have anything to add" when asked about the reigning Masters champion's comments. 

"I have always been extremely proud to be a member of the DP World Tour," he said. 

"It is pretty hard to make Ryder Cup teams and I have been fortunate to play in the last four. 

"Hopefully I will be able to play more in the future, hopefully the only thing that stops me is age and younger talent taking my spot.

"I don’t have an update to give. It's still with legal teams and there’s guys that are still in conversations working it all out. 

"So I haven't put any more thought into that. I don't really know what’s happening. I'm just here to play golf, as always."

Rahm has spoken about the subject several times. 

He is adamant that he is not paying up, nor does he want LIV Golf's financiers to settle them for him. 

Rahm estimates he owes more than $3m. 

Speaking to GOLF's Subpar earlier in the month, he explained that he objected to being fined for not participating in tournaments he has never played. 

For example, LIV's stop in Adelaide every February conflicts with the Bahrain Championship. 

Rahm said he was happy to pay a figure that takes into account the tournaments that he has previously teed up in. 

Rahm and Hatton have played key roles in Europe's Ryder Cup success stories since 2018. 

The pair are particularly formidable in the foursomes, with the duo undefeated in four matches. 

Rahm and Hatton defeated Bryson DeChambeau/Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay last September. 

Schauffele defeated Rahm 4&3 in their singles contest, whilst Hatton's half point against Collin Morikawa meant Europe won the Ryder Cup outright.