Jon Rahm makes defiant Ryder Cup claim days before The Masters

Former Masters champion Jon Rahm says he has faith he will find a solution with the DP World Tour (DPWT) to end the uncertainty over his Ryder Cup future. 

The 31-year-old Spaniard joined LIV Golf in December 2023 for a reported £450m ($566.6m) and has been repeatedly fined by the DPWT for teeing up in events on the breakaway tour without tournament releases. 

Rahm lodged an appeal against the sanctions last summer and the protracted process enabled the two-time major champion to fulfil the requirements to be selected by European captain Luke Donald and make his fourth Ryder Cup appearance at Bethpage Black in New York. 

Once again, Rahm played a key role Europe's success story, contributing three points to the team total in their 15-13 away victory and cultivating a formidable partnership with his LIV Golf teammate Tyrrell Hatton. 

In March, the DPWT attempted to resolve the situation by offering a deal to a group of LIV Golf competitors that would enable them to play in both organisations' tournaments without being fined. 

Eight players, including the aforementioned Hatton, agreed to the terms but Rahm rejected the deal. 

He accused the DPWT of "extorting players" as the waiver included an acceptance to take part in stipulated tournaments. 

On 20 March, Rahm dropped his appeal against the sanctions but declined to pay his outstanding fines which are believed to be in the region of £2.5m. 

Rahm told reporters before the 2026 Masters Tournament that he's confident he will make his fifth Ryder Cup appearance next September. 

Asked why he withdrew the appeal, Rahm said: "Like I said the last few interviews, we keep talking about the DP World Tour and trying to figure out a solution that works best. 

"I didn't think that going the legal route and going to court was good for anybody. 

"So I have faith in us and the DP World Tour we're going to find a good solution for both of us."

Rahm said that he's unsure if he is able to play any DPWT events until the situation is resolved. 

"I truly don't know," he said. "I'm not planning to play until September. So that's a bit of a positive. 

"If I were unable right now, it doesn't matter since I'm not planning to tee it up until after August like I have [previously] done in my career.

"I do intend to continue to support the DP World Tour. I've been very thankful to be a member. I've been very thankful to support the Tour and play some wonderful events. 

"The Irish Open has been very good to me, and I would love to make a return. [The BMW PGA Championship] at Wentworth has been fantastic every single year, the Spanish Open, maybe even the Dunhill. 

"We have some events like the French Open and the Omega [European Masters]. Those are events that I'd love to have the chance to play."

Asked if he was willing to compromise, Rahm said: "I think I already have."

He continued: "We've already told them many times.

"I just don't know, so I think this is not the week to be talking about this, this being the first major of the year and how important this is for the game of golf in general and for all of us.

"We keep talking to them, and we keep trying to negotiate. I have given in quite a bit in a few things, which I think I talked about on my last press conference.

"We're going to work it out. It's going to work out. 

"As of now, the DP World Tour is doing what they need to do and following the channels they need to follow, but I'm confident this will be sorted out before I tee it up in September."

"The king of comebacks"

Rahm was also asked about the absence of Tiger Woods. 

The five-time Masters champion was expected to make his 27th appearance in the major this week. 

But the 50-year-old was arrested last week on charges of driving under the influence after being involved in another car crash near his Florida home. 

Former world number one, Jason Day, labelled Woods "a little bit selfish" on Monday when asked about Woods. 

Rahm was asked about the mood in the locker room this week without the 15-time major champion. 

"There's a lot of players in this field that were very close to him, and I haven't had the time to talk to them," Rahm said. 

"Quite frankly, I don't know if this will be the week to do so. 

"They have enough going on this week with the Masters and a friend needing some help that I don't know if it's the right time.

"So I haven't had any conversations with anyone about it. 

"All I can hope is that he gets the help that he can get and he can come back in a better position after that. 

"I mean, he is arguably the king of comebacks. If there's somebody that has the mental strength to come back from an issue like that, it will be him. 

"[I am] confident that he has enough people in Florida, enough golfers for sure supporting him on that as well."