McIlroy challenges Hatton and Rahm to pay Tour fines

Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm have been asked by Rory McIlroy to “prove” their loyalty to the Ryder Cup team in Europe by paying their multi-million pound fines from the DP World Tour.

While still a part of the European tour, England’s Hatton and the Spaniard Rahm were both fined for competing in antagonistic LIV golf competitions.

Both of them filed an appeal against the 2024 sanctions, which allowed them to compete in enough events to keep their membership and qualify for the Ryder Cup victory over the United States in New York last year.

Since the cases are still unfinished, the eligibility question will likely come up again before the 2027 Irish Ryder Cup.

World No. 2 McIlroy responded to a question at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic: “Absolutely, yes.

We also said that we would pay to play in Ryder Cups and that we were very harsh on Americans when it came to being paid to do so. Two men have the evidence to support it.

The PGA of America organized the tournament for the first time in its 98-year history that players on either side had been paid to play, winning $500, 000 (£373, 000) each from the tournament’s organizers to take part in last year’s defeat at Bethpage.

Some of the players, however, stated during the New York game that they would give money to charities.

McIlroy remained committed to the DP World Tour and US-based PGA Tour despite the lure of several of the top golfers in the world.

The reigning Masters champion added, “I believe any organization or any members’ organization has a right to uphold its rules and regulations.”

The DP World Tour adheres to its rules and regulations, according to the tour’s statement. At the start of each year, members of the organization sign a document that requires your acceptance of these rules and regulations.