Report: LIV tried to strike deal over Rahm’s fines

Before Jon Rahm appealed the fines the DP World Tour assessed him for playing in LIV events that conflicted with the tour’s own tournaments, LIV Golf tried to strike a deal of sorts, Sports Illustrated reported Monday.

Representatives of the Saudi-backed LIV circuit met with the group formerly known as the European Tour in August, per the report. In seeking to eliminate the fines assessed to Rahm and other golfers, LIV “proposed schedule adjustments” to keep certain LIV events and DP World Tour events from overlapping.

LIV also offered 6 million euros for DP World Tour purses and said it would create an exemption category for DP World Tour players into 10 specific events on the Asian Tour, an official partner of LIV.

“We met with them and listened to their proposal but did not accept it, as our view remains that the focus should continue to be on all stakeholders working together to reach an overall solution that benefits our sport,” a DP World Tour spokesperson told Sports Illustrated.

At issue for Rahm is his status for the 2025 Ryder Cup. He is not eligible for Team Europe unless he plays in four DP World Tour events in 2024. His participation in the Paris Olympics counted as one, so he’s seeking three more starts.

But Rahm was fined for participating in LIV events this year held concurrently with DP World Tour events, and those outstanding fines were standing in the way of his eligibility. Rather than pay the fines, Rahm’s agent last week requested an appeal. Under tour regulations, Rahm is eligible for the Spanish Open later this month until the appeal is resolved one way or the other.

Rahm joined LIV Golf in December and claimed the league’s 2024 individual title Sunday after winning LIV Chicago, the penultimate event of the season.