The Ryder Cup stands for honor, identity, and legacy. Rory McIlroy now challenges Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton to prove money doesn’t matter.
McIlroy’s Clear Standpoint on Rahm and Hatton
Rory McIlroy has taken an unequivocal stance in the debate surrounding LIV Golf players and Ryder Cup participation. While Team Europe has long insisted that money plays no role in golf’s most prestigious team competition, McIlroy now sees this as a crucial test. His message to Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton is clear: those who said they would pay to play in the Ryder Cup now have the chance to prove it.
\”This is my opinion: We have been very firm about American players being paid to play in the Ryder Cup, and we said we would pay to participate as players. Now there are two players who can prove that,\” McIlroy stated, putting responsibility and credibility at the forefront.
Pride Over Prize Money
Rahm and Hatton both play for LIV Golf and must pay fines for participating in a rival tour. The PGA and DP World Tour regulations are clear: as long as these sanctions remain, both players are ineligible for Ryder Cup selection. Currently, the only realistic path to nomination is paying fines totaling approximately six million dollars, about one to one and a half million per year.
The situation is intensified by the fundamental difference between Europe and the USA. American team players are paid for Ryder Cup participation. Team Europe has always held that the sporting and emotional value of the competition outweighs any financial remuneration. European players have also positioned themselves clearly in the past, stating they would pay to participate themselves.
Luke Donald summarized this ethos in his 2025 Ryder Cup introduction speech: \”It’s not about prize money or ranking points. It’s about pride.\” Representing one’s flag, leaving a legacy, inspiring new generations, and honoring those before you drive the team. They are motivated by \”something money can’t buy: purpose, brotherhood, and accountability.\”
A Financial Question with Symbolic Weight
Financially, Rahm and Hatton are capable of paying this price. Rahm is reported to have earned around 76 million dollars in two years at LIV, plus an estimated signing bonus of over 200 million dollars. Hatton has made about 22 million dollars with a bonus of around 60 million dollars.
The six million dollars in fines would exceed what American players received at the last Ryder Cup multiple times. Therefore, paying these fines would be more than a formality. It would send a strong signal and represent a substantial financial commitment to Team Europe.
From Broadway to Bethpage Black, New York was built on the backs of Europeans 🇪🇺#TeamEurope |