Donald welcomes Rahm Ryder Cup availability

Jon Rahm with his arm round the shoulder of his Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,

Jon Rahm (left) has featured in the Ryder Cup on four occasions for Europe

BySteve SutcliffeBBC Sport journalist

Published30 minutes ago

Luke Donald says he is "delighted" that Jon Rahm will be available for Ryder Cup selection after the Spaniard settled his dispute with the DP World Tour.

Rahm, 31, was a key figure in the European team captained to victory by Donald in Rome in 2023 and in New York last September, but had looked set to be ineligible to feature at Adare Manor in 2027.

He had initially declined an offer from the DP World Tour, that had been accepted by eight other LIV Golf players, over conditional releases to play in conflicting tournaments on the breakaway circuit during the 2026 season.

And in March, Rahm accused the European-based tour of "extorting players".

However, he struck a deal with the DP World Tour earlier this month that allowed him to retain his membership and secured his eligibility to face the United States in Limerick from 17-19 September, 2027, when the biennial contest celebrates its centenary.

"It's not my job to tell Jon what to do, but [I'm] delighted that a resolution has happened and that he's available [for] the Ryder Cup team," said Donald, prior to the opening round of this week's US PGA Championship in Pennsylvania.

"Jon has proved how valuable he can be in a Ryder Cup. He's played four and done extremely well. So to have him available for selection is pretty cool."

Donald will become the first European to serve three consecutive terms at the helm since Bernard Gallacher led the team to one win and two defeats between 1991 and 1995.

And Rahm's potential presence and ability to deliver clutch moments is only likely to buoy a strong Europe side who have not lost on home soil since The Belfry in 1993.

The two-time major champion has collected 10½ points since making his debut at Le Golf National in 2018 and been part of a winning team on three out of four occasions.

He boasts a formidable foursomes record, collecting a maximum six points from six matches in the alternate-shot format, and he was also Europe's top points scorer in their heavy 19-9 defeat at Whistling Straits in 2021, which proved to be a changing-of-the-guard moment.

When asked if Rahm has any bridges to build on the European side, Donald added: "It's obviously my job to make sure everyone is aligned.

"I like to use the phrase even brothers fight sometimes. But deep down, they love each other, and the mission is pretty clear when we play a Ryder Cup, and that's to win.

"They understand that putting those feelings, those egos of different personalities, personal things to one side is important if you're going to be successful.

"I don't have any real qualms or issues that the team room won't be unified."

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'Controlling the controllables'

Doubts over Rahm's participation had been tethered to him playing LIV Golf events without official permission since he made his debut on the breakaway tour in 2024.

And with the dynamics around the men's game appearing uncertain since Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund announced it would not fund the LIV Golf League beyond the 2026 season, Donald says his focus is solely on dealing with the things he can control.

"I think that's the word, isn't it, uncertainty. We don't really know what's going to happen with LIV," added the Englishman.

"You have to think about that in terms of qualification criteria. We don't have to announce that until mid to late summer.

"I don't try and make decisions on things that are unknown. I'm going to try and make decisions on things that I know will happen and we can control.

"I'm not worried about it too much right now. I have a lot of faith in [vice-captain] Edoardo [Molinari] in terms of getting the right qualification criteria, making sure that we get the strongest six. Then you can implement and pick the next six to complement those players."