As the new LIV Golf season gets underway under the lights in Riyadh, the conversation off the course is just as compelling as the action on it. Jon Rahm, along with his Legion XIII teammates Tyrrell Hatton and Tom McKibbin, addressed growing reports that the DP World Tour is working toward dropping fines for LIV players-a potential breakthrough in what’s been a long, winding saga of professional golf’s fractured landscape.
The reported development, first surfaced over the weekend, suggests the DP World Tour is open to granting releases for players to compete in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League-provided all outstanding fines are paid. That’s a significant shift in tone from the hardline stance that’s defined the relationship between the tours since LIV’s inception.
Rahm, who reportedly owes around $3 million in fines to the DP World Tour, didn’t deny that a deal could be in the works. But he also made it clear that he’s not directly involved in the finer details of the negotiations.
“I personally would say I don’t know too much about the matter,” Rahm said ahead of the season opener. “Managers are going to be taking care of that early on… I don’t know what it may be or what it’s going to look like, but I’m happy to see [they’re] looking for a path forward for LIV players to be able to play on both Tours and not to get penalized.”
That’s been the crux of the issue all along-players wanting the freedom to compete across tours without being punished for their decisions. And for Rahm, who has consistently voiced his desire to represent Europe in future Ryder Cups and compete in European events like the Amgen Irish Open, this potential resolution could be pivotal.
Rahm and Hatton, both facing hefty fines, are currently appealing the penalties. That appeal process allowed them to play in last year’s Ryder Cup, but their long-term eligibility-especially looking ahead to the 2027 matches in Adare Manor-remains in limbo. If a deal is finalized, it could bring clarity and stability to that picture.
According to reports, the DP World Tour may ask players to commit to a certain number of events in exchange for wiping out the fines. It’s a compromise that, if true, could pave the way for a more unified professional golf schedule-something many fans and players have been hoping for.
In a statement, the DP World Tour acknowledged ongoing conversations: “We continue to have dialogue with individual members involved to explore and discuss options.”
For Rahm, it’s not just about the big names. He emphasized that young talents like Tom McKibbin and David Puig-players who’ve chosen LIV early in their careers-shouldn’t be caught in the crossfire of tour politics.
“I think the example of players like Tom or David Puig, who’s now a winner on the European Tour, who just chose the best path possible as young players, shouldn’t be penalized because of the politics of the game,” Rahm said. “The fact that they’re looking at a positive way to figure it out, I think it’s only good for us, and I think it’s good for the DP World Tour as well.”
Hatton echoed that sentiment, calling the potential resolution “positive” and a step in the right direction. “If things are moving in the right direction, that’s good for golf,” he said.
McKibbin kept it simple but aligned with his teammates: “Same as the two guys. They both summed it up pretty perfectly.”
Meanwhile, the conversation briefly turned to Patrick Reed, who recently made headlines by leaving LIV Golf to rejoin the PGA Tour, joining Brooks Koepka in making the switch.
Rahm didn’t offer much in the way of commentary, but his message was clear: players should have the freedom to choose their path.
“I think each one is going to do whatever he thinks is best for them,” Rahm said. “At this point, I just wish him nothing but the best of luck… We’re free to choose where we want to play golf. At least that’s how it should be.”
Hatton added: “He was out of contract, and he had options and decided that for him to move forward, he wanted to go back and play on the PGA Tour. That’s his choice.”
As the lights go up on LIV’s latest season, the sport continues to evolve. And if this potential agreement between LIV players and the DP World Tour comes to fruition, it could mark a major turning point in golf’s ongoing effort to bridge its divided ecosystem.