Luke Donald could not hide his joy at the news that Jon Rahm is back on course to be able to compete at the Ryder Cup.
The Spaniard’s chances of competing in the event looked over earlier this week, but a last-ditch appeal has put him back in the frame as the row over his eligibility continues as a result of the fines he has received previously.
Rahm put pen to paper on a lucrative deal with LIV Golf in December, and competing in each Saudi-funded event has seen him receive fines and suspensions from the DP World Tour.
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But the 29-year-old has remained insistent on competing in the Ryder Cup, and his 11th-hour appeal to those at Wentworth HQ has kept his hopes alive. The lengthy appeal process means that Rahm can compete in the Spanish Open later this month and the three other DP World Tour events. Thus, he will keep his card for the Ryder Cup for the moment.
Speaking to Off The Ball, European captain Donald could not contain how relieved he was that there is still a chance that Rahm could be a part of his team at Bethpage Black.
He said: “With everything going on in the world of golf this gives him some opportunity and time to play his three events that he needs to get to his four to maintain eligibility requirements that the DP World Tour require.
“I’m super happy he’s decided to do that (appeal). Jon is a world-class player and we’re certainly stronger with him in the team.”
Donald went on to explain how he has remained in close contact with Rahm throughout the ongoing saga, meeting with him where possible to discuss what could happen next.
“I’ve had many conversations [with him],” Donald continued. “I made a point to go and see him a lot when I was around the tournaments at the majors and obviously swapped many messages with him over the past few months. I’m very happy. It keeps him eligible.
“The last thing I’d want for him is not to be able to fulfil those eligibility requirements and without that, not giving me an opportunity to pick him. This gives us more time to figure out what’s going on in the world of golf and hopefully, we can all do that.”
