"Not my job to tell Jon what to do" - Luke Donald's verdict on Rahm's messy Ryder Cup saga

European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has expressed his delight after Jon Rahm struck a deal to end his protracted dispute with the DP World Tour (DPWT). 

The Spaniard was involved in a tedious argument with the European-based circuit over his refusal to pay the fines he had racked up for playing in conflicting LIV Golf events without official permission since making his debut on the breakaway tour in 2024.

Rahm's issue, he explained, was the requirement to play in stipulated events. 

But he is now eligible for next year's Ryder Cup in Ireland after striking a deal that will see him pay a reported £2m and play a minimum of five DPWT events. 

Donald told reporters before the PGA Championship that he was delighted an agreement was finally met and likened the disagreement to a pair of brothers fighting. 

"I did talk to Jon," Donald said. "I just wanted to get his thoughts on where he was. Obviously, I'm always in communication with the DP World Tour.

"It's not my job to tell Jon what to do, but obviously very delighted that a resolution has happened and that he's available as someone that can be a part of the Ryder Cup team.

"Having as many players available to pick from, especially someone like Jon who's obviously proved how valuable he can be in a Ryder Cup. 

"He's played four and obviously two under my captaincy and done extremely well. So to have him available for selection is pretty cool."

Donald was referring to the fact Rahm has become a stalwart for the European team. 

The two-time major champion has played in four Ryder Cups, winning three, including the last two in Rome and New York. 

He has forged a formidable foursomes partnership with his LIV teammate, Tyrrell Hatton, with the duo undefeated in five matches. 

Rahm has amassed an overall Ryder Cup record of 9-5-3.

During the dispute with the DPWT, Rahm previously accused the circuit of attempting to extort players. 

Asked if Rahm needed to build any bridges with the Tour or even other players, Donald said: "I think time is certainly on our side. It's 18 months until the Ryder Cup. 

"I was glad a resolution came to fruition sooner rather than later. I think the longer you leave that, the more onus is on me to potentially help with some of those bridges."

Donald said that during his captaincy he's had to deal with the changing landscape of men's professional golf. 

"I think there's always going to be people that have different opinions and different viewpoints," he said.  

"But when it comes to the Ryder Cup in the team room, I think they're all pretty aligned. It's obviously my job to make sure everyone is aligned. 

"I like to use the phrase even brothers fight sometimes. But deep down, they love each other, and the mission is pretty clear when we play a Ryder Cup, and that's to win. 

"They understand that putting those feelings, those egos of different personalities, personal things to one side is important if you're going to be successful.

"I don't have any real qualms or issues that the team room won't be unified."

Ryder Cup rules can be changed for LIV defectors

Donald was handed the Ryder Cup captaincy in 2022 after Henrik Stenson was stripped of the role after the Swede bolted to LIV Golf alongside the likes of Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell and Sergio Garcia. 

All four players were considered above Donald in the pecking order to be captains one day. 

It was previously speculated that Poulter would take the reins in 2025 at Bethpage Black, followed by McDowell in Ireland. 

Garcia will undoubtedly love be captain when the matches head to Spain in 2031. 

As things stand, they are frozen out from future leadership roles. 

"It's in the policy that you left and that was stipulated," said Donald when asked if there is a chance LIV golfers have a chance to be captain someday. 

"There's uncertainty to what's going to happen with LIV in the future. I'm sure policies do change, but that will be up to really the Tour."