Sir Nick Faldo tees off on Jon Rahm ahead of The Masters: "Show a bit of gratitude"

Three-time Masters champion Sir Nick Faldo has encouraged Jon Rahm to "show a bit of gratitude" and end his long-running feud with the DP World Tour (DPWT). 

Rahm has been at odds with the European-based circuit for nearly two years. 

He has been fined for participating in LIV Golf events that conflicted with the DPWT schedule without obtaining the required tournament releases.

The DPWT attempted to resolve the situation last month and a group of eight LIV players agreed to sign a waiver that will see them compete in both organisations' tournaments without being fined. 

But Rahm, who reportedly owes more than £2m, refused the deal and explained he felt like he was being "extorted" as the terms included a requirement to play in stipulated events. 

Rahm is currently prohibited from playing in DPWT events until he pays his bill. Rahm's stance also threatens his involvement in the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor. 

He has played in every Cup since making his debut for Europe at Le Golf National in Paris eight years ago. He has amassed 17 points for the blue and gold, with an overall record of 9-5-3 from 17 matches. 

"The bottom line is that, just, if you want to be there, pay up," Faldo told a group of reporters on the eve of the 2026 Masters."

"The real bottom line is these guys have got to show a bit of gratitude. I mean, you know, you have to be very careful. If you take six months off, golf would move on, wouldn’t it?

"You know, don't get full of your own importance. I mean, yes, he's an important member at the last couple of Ryder Cups. But if he's not there, he's not there."

Rahm previously explained that he would sign the deal should the DPWT drop the requirement to play six events instead of the usual four to be a member. 

Reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy previously explained Rahm was rejecting a generous deal. 

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

"So, if you want to play on the Ryder Cup, you have to be a member of the DP World Tour. 

"To be a member of the DP World Tour, you have to abide by the rules and regulations. 

"And the rules and regulations were, 'OK, 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.'"

England's Justin Rose has also encouraged Rahm to swallow his pride. 

Faldo added: "All they've asked for it was to play a couple of designated events.

"You signed a contract to play LIV. You have to play your full team with LIV. 

"You can't say, oh, I'll just play where I want to play. They are contracted to play LIV. Why not just give to the game. Just bowl up at the British Masters hosted by Nick.

"Why not? It would be huge. You can't lose, giving to the game."

What has Jon Rahm said?

Rahm, the 2023 Masters champion, told reporters on Tuesday ahead of the first men's major of the year that he was confident of representing Europe next September. 

Explaining why he dropped his appeal, Rahm said: "I didn't think that going the legal route and going to court was good for anybody," added Rahm.

"I have faith in us and the DP World Tour, that we are going to find a good solution.

"We keep talking to them and we keep trying to negotiate. I have given in quite a bit in a few things. We're going to work it 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."

Rahm said he was unsure if he was allowed to play on the DPWT at present. 

But it didn't matter anyway as he is not planning to play again until after LIV's 2026 season concludes. 

"I intend to continue to support the DP World Tour," he said.

"I've been thankful to be a member. I've been thankful to support the Tour and play some wonderful events."

If he was allowed, Rahm said he would love to play the Irish Open in September.

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