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Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has warned Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm that European team rules for LIV golfers will not be changed to give them an advantage playing in New York next year.
Hatton joined LIV after winning last year in Rome as part of Donald's European team and won his first title at the Saudi Arabia-funded Breakaway tournament in Nashville in June.
To remain eligible for next year's Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, Hatton needs to play in four regular DP World Tour events this season and is due to play in this week's British Open at the Belfry after appealing sanctions for playing in a LIV event without permission from the tour.
Hatton has served the necessary suspension and payment of any fines is expected to be deferred pending the outcome of the appeal.
“It's nice to have as many guys to choose from to qualify and I'm pleased to have Tyrrell competing this week,” Donald said at the Belfry. “He's obviously done everything he needs to do in accordance with the DP World Tour rules and hopefully he's one of the guys we can look out for as a qualified player next year.”
Europe captain Luke Donald insists Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton have not been “criticised” for joining LIV Golf (Mike Egerton/PA) (PA Wire)
Hatton's Legion XIII teammate Jon Rahm also intends to play enough tournaments to maintain his membership, with Donald adding: “I've spoken to Jon a number of times. He fully understands what's in his contract. Nothing has changed since last year. I think when he signed with LIV he understood what the DP World Tour policy is. You have to play with your own four.”
“In line with all the rules, he can choose to pay the fine or appeal like any other player and he has the opportunity to do so and he knows that. It's really up to him whether he wants to do it and I really hope that he wants to and will be eligible.”
“He certainly made the statement at the PGA Championship (in May) that he would do anything for me and the team, and again, I hope that happens.”
The first wave of LIV players in 2022 appealed the sanctions and were able to compete until April 2023, when an arbitration panel ruled in DP World Tour's favour and recognised its right to enforce the rules.
A DP World Tour spokesman said: “Tyrrell is appealing the sanctions imposed on him for breaching the DP World Tour's competitive tournament rules but remains eligible to play in the Betfred British Masters in accordance with DP World Tour rules.”
Additional reporting by PA
