Ryder Cup Qualification Will Not Change to Accommodate LIV Golfers

Luke Donald has delivered a crushing blow to the Ryder Cup hopes of Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, saying that the qualification rules for the European team will not be changed to accommodate LIV golfers.

The pair have made no secret of their desire to play in the match at Bethpage next September but Donald says they have to play a minimum of four DP World Tour events this season to have any chance of being eligible - and that is looking highly unlikely.

Changes have been made to the qualification system this time around. Previously there had been a world points list and a DP World Tour list but now there will just be a solitary points list, with the top six qualifying for team and Donald being given six picks.

"We had to adjust for the changing landscape," said Donald, referring to the fact that the top 10 eligible DP World Tour players at the end of the season will be awarded PGA Tour cards.

"A lot of the strongest players will play predominantly in the US, but we wanted to make sure that people were still supporting the DP World Tour so we’ve boosted a little bit the points for the guys who are playing predominantly on that tour. 

"It's a points system that’s going to give the six strongest players, and then we have the six picks for flexibility to round out the team."

Hatton is playing in the British Masters at The Belfry, a tournament that marks the start of the 2025 Ryder Cup qualification process.

He is competing after launching an appeal against the sanctions imposed for playing LIV events without a release from the DP World Tour.

He has served the required suspensions, and payment of any fines has been delayed until the outcome of his appeal.

"I want the biggest pool of players I can to choose from," said Donald.

"There are some rules and regulations that players, whether on LIV or the DP World Tour, have to satisfy and I'm glad Tyrrell is satisfying his. I know he's planning on playing a few more events over the next few months."

After Rahm made his move to LIV, Rory McIlroy said it was unthinkable that Europe could face the USA without him.

Commenting on Rahm, Donald said: "It's quite clear with the policy that you either pay the fines or you can appeal them, and within that appeal time you can still play some DP World Tour events, so Jon knows what is required.

"He wants to play a few events and be eligible. I hope he does either pay the fines, or appeals and becomes eligible for my team because I would dearly love to have him be a part of that."

Rahm has two LIV events left to play this year, in Chicago from 13-15 September and Dallas a week later. 

Rahm has said that he wants to retain his DP World Tour membership and has spoken of the importance of the Spanish Open, which he has won three times.