Rory McIlroy Urges Ryder Cup Teammates Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton to Pay Fines Imposed by DP World Tour

Rory McIlroy urged LIV Golfers and his Ryder Cup teammates Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton to pay their outstanding fines to the DPWT.

Rory McIlroy Urges Ryder Cup Teammates Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton to Pay Fines Imposed by DP World Tour

Rory McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm (Image via Imago)

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Ahead of the 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Rory McIlroy had a strong message to his Ryder Cup teammates Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton. The World No.2 urged the two golfers to pay the fines imposed by the DP World Tour following their move to LIV Golf.

Rahm stunned the golfing world in December 2023 by joining the Saudi-backed tour. The Spaniard was the reigning Masters Champion at that point. He had previously also criticized the format of LIV Golf and stood by the PGA Tour.

Rahm’s departure saw the establishment of Legion XIII, a team he captains. A few days after his move, Englishmen Tyrrell Hatton would join him on his team and become another high-profile name to leave their current tours and join LIV Golf.

Following their exits, the DP World Tour would impose a fine on them. As per reports, the two of them have to pay a sum of around $3 million each.

During the press conference of the Dubai Desert Classic, McIlroy claimed that it would be the right thing for them to pay the fine. He then recalled how last year he and several other European golfers took a swipe at American golfers for getting paid to play in the Ryder Cup.

This is my opinion. We went really hard on the Americans about being paid to play the Ryder Cup, and we also said that we would pay to play in Ryder Cups. There’s two guys that can prove it.

Rory McIlroy told the reporters

Rahm and Hatton have both appealed their fines. Their cases are yet to be resolved. Hatton would later respond to these comments from McIlroy and claimed that the legal teams were still working this out.

To be honest I don’t have an update to give. It’s still with legal teams and there’s guys that are still in conversations working it all out.

Tyrrell Hatton said

The trio were part of Team Europe during the 2025 Ryder Cup. They were successful in winning the tournament as they edged out the Americans 15-13 in New York and won back-to-back events. The LIV Golfers will have to resolve their fines if they are to be part of the team aiming for a three-peat at Adare Manor in 2027.

Rory McIlroy believes golf reunification will not take place

As Rory McIlroy prepares for his 2nd start of the season, was asked whether Brooks Koepka‘s return to the PGA Tour could spark a reunification. The 5-time major champion would express that he does not believe that it would take place.

Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy (Image via Imago)

Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour has been one of the highlights of the year. Last month, the former World No.1 left LIV Golf. He was one of the big names that had left the tour in the first place and joined the breakaway tour in 2022.

The American international thus became the first marquee name to return to the tour after playing on LIV Golf. A return of LIV Golfers had been speculated ever since the merger deal was announced in June 2023.

In a shocking appearance, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, along with Public Investment Fund (PIF) governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, would come together and announce a merger deal which would see all golfers play under one tour once again.

Since the announcement of this deal, several talks have taken place. However, there have been no concrete talks that could signal the merger finally going through. McIlroy now believes that a reunification is far apart.

I don’t see a world where the two or three sides or whoever it is will give up enough. Like for reunification to happen, every side is going to feel like they will have lost, where you really want every side to feel like they have won. And I just don’t think — I think they are just too far apart for that to happen.

Rory McIlroy said

While the PGA Tour season is already underway, LIV Golf is preparing for its 5th season. The LIV Golf Riyadh event from Saudi Arabia on February 4 would mark a new era for them as they start playing 72 holes and give up on their 54-hole format.

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