Luke Donald is delighted to have Jon Rahm available for Ryder Cup selection and believes the Spaniard has time to build any bridges ahead of next year’s contest.
Rahm has been a key figure in Donald’s team during victories in Rome and New York but was set to be ineligible for the 2027 showdown at Adare Manor due to his ongoing dispute with the DP World Tour.
However, he reached a deal last week which will see him retain his membership and secure his eligibility for the Ryder Cup, in an agreement similar to that signed by eight other LIV golfers in February.
Donald is happy to have the 31-year-old at his disposal again.
“Delighted that a resolution has happened and that he’s available as someone that can be a part of the Ryder Cup team,” Donald said ahead of this week’s US PGA Championship.
“I’m not involved in the policy of the DP World Tour and the discussions between the parties. I did talk to Jon. I just wanted to get his thoughts on where he was.
“He’s played four and obviously two under my captaincy and done extremely well. So to have him available for selection is pretty cool.”
LIV golfers are currently unavailable for Ryder Cup selection but the future of the breakaway tour hangs in the balance after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund announced plans to withdraw financing at the end of the year.
“We don’t really know what’s going to happen with LIV,” Donald added.
“Obviously you have to think about that in terms of qualification criteria. We don’t have to announce that until mid to late summer.
“We’ll just wait and see. I don’t try and make decisions on things that are unknown. I’m not worried about it too much right now.”
Rahm had some strong words to say about the DP World Tour while his dispute was ongoing, accusing it of “extortion” amid his ongoing fines.
Donald was asked if the Spaniard had any bridges to build, including within the team, and said: “I think time is certainly on our side. It’s 18 months until the Ryder Cup.
“I was glad an agreement 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.
“When it comes to the Ryder Cup in the team room, I think they’re all pretty 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.”
Donald is preparing for a third stint as captain, having been persuaded by his team to take it on again.
He reflected on the fact he may never have been captain, had Henrik Stenson not been stripped of the job in 2023 after joining LIV.
“I know there was a lot of people probably in line in front of me that went to LIV and obviously gave up that opportunity,” he added.
“I’m a big believer that things happen for a reason. To obviously have one opportunity to do it in Italy was incredible. Now I’m sitting here having three opportunities, I never would have dreamed that.”
PA
