2x Major Champion Jon Rahm BLASTS DP World Tour, Accuses Them Of “Extorting” Players

Jon Rahm sounded off on the DP World Tour and claimed that they were using them for their benefit.

2x Major Champion Jon Rahm BLASTS DP World Tour, Accuses Them Of “Extorting” Players

Jon Rahm (Image via Imago)

Jon Rahm did not hold back on the DP World Tour on Wednesday. Ahead of LIV Golf Hong Kong, the 2-time major champion sounded off on the European Tour and accused them of “extorting” players while making his feelings known regarding them.

In a significant move a few days ago, the European circuit granted “conditional releases” to 8 golfers. Previously, DP World Tour members who joined LIV Golf were allowed to play in DP World Tour events if they paid fines for competing in LIV events that conflicted with the Tour’s dates.

LIV Golf would later stop paying the fines and left the players to deal with the situation. The DP World Tour then came up with this conditional releases.

Under this agreement, Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Tyrrell Hatton, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk, David Puig, Victor Perez and Elvis Smylie will be eligible to play DP World Tour events in 2026 without being subjected to the conflicting event rules when they tee off at the Saudi-backed circuit.

There are 3 major conditions to this agreement though. The first would see the golfers clear all of their outstanding fines. The other two would see them participate in a number of DP World Tour events and participate in media activities while also withdrawing their previous appeals.

Jon Rahm, the 2-time major champion, was not among the 8 golfers who were granted this releases. On Wednesday during the press conference before the LIV Golf Hong Kong event, the Spaniard first claimed that he did not like what the tour was trying to do with them.

I don’t like what they’re doing currently with the contract they’re having us sign. I don’t like the conditions. They’re asking me to play a minimum of six events, and they dictate where two of those have to be, amongst other things that I don’t agree with.

Jon Rahm told the reporters

He then blasted them and accused them of extorting the players and using them for their benefit.

I don’t know what game they’re trying to play right now, but it just seems like in a way they’re using us to — they’re using our impact in tournaments and fining us and trying to benefit both ways from what we have to offer, and it’s just in a way they’re extorting players like myself and young players that have nothing to do with the politics of the game.

Jon Rahm added

The 31-year-old previously played in 4 DP World Tour events, the minimum amount required to maintain his membership. These events would be part of the DP World Tour’s Fall Schedule.

He is currently scheduled to take part in 14 LIV Golf events and the 4 major championships. According to Golf Digest, Rahm can either agree to these conditions or continue to pay fines for competing in LIV Golf events that clash with the DP World Tour ones.

Jon Rahm Responds to Rory McIlroy’s comment of them paying fines to DP World Tour

Jon Rahm did not mince his words on Wednesday when he fired back at the DP World Tour. After claiming that the tour was using them, the former World No.1 would respond to the comments of Rory McIlroy regarding them paying fines imposed on him and Tyrrell Hatton before.

Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy
Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy (Image via Imago)

In January, during the Dubai Desert Classic, McIlroy would urge the Legion XIII members to pay the fines for them to remain eligible for the Ryder Cup. The 5-time major champion recalled how he and the others slammed the Americans for getting paid to play in the event, and how they (Europeans) would rather pay to play in this event.

While responding to this comments of the North Irishman, Rahm expressed that it would make sense if all 12 of them had to pay and not just him and Hatton.

That statement would make a lot more sense if all 12 of us were being asked to pay, not only just the two of us… While I understand why he’s saying that, we all do it for the love of the game, it’s a different situation than what we usually see.

Jon Rahm said

According to reports, Rahm and Hatton have to pay a sum of $3 million each. The two of them, along with McIlroy, were part of the winning European team in 2025. With a 15-13 victory, they would go back-to-back in this event.

The next edition will take part at the Adare Manor in Ireland in 2027. If Rahm gets suspended for not meeting the DP World Tour requirements, he could miss out on this tournament. Only time will tell whether the golfer will be able to come to an agreement with the tour or not.

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