Luke Donald Backs Jon Rahm Ryder Cup Return After Deal
Luke Donald was delighted to have Jon Rahm back in the Ryder Cup picture. The Europe captain said Rahm will be available for selection after settling his dispute with the DP World Tour, easing doubts over whether one of Europe’s most productive players would miss Limerick in 2027. Rahm’s return gives Donald a proven scorer for the 17-19 September event.
Donald Welcomes Rahm
“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,” Donald said before the opening round of the US PGA Championship in Pennsylvania. He added: “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 also said: “It’s obviously my job to make sure everyone is aligned.” He went further when asked if Rahm had any bridges to build on the European side: “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.”
Rahm’s Ryder Cup Record
Rahm has collected 10½ points since making his debut at Le Golf National in 2018. He has been part of a winning Ryder Cup team on three out of four occasions, and his maximum return of six points from six matches in foursomes shows why Europe has leaned on him in team play.
He was Europe’s top points scorer in the 19-9 defeat at Whistling Straits in 2021, then remained central to the side Donald captained to victory in Rome in 2023. Rahm also played in the Ryder Cup in New York in September 2024, keeping his record at four appearances.
DP World Tour Deal
Rahm had looked set to be ineligible for Adare Manor in 2027 before striking a deal with the DP World Tour earlier this month. That agreement allowed him to retain his membership and secured his eligibility to face the United States in Limerick from 17-19 September, 2027.
The dispute had started after Rahm initially declined an offer from the tour over conditional releases to play in conflicting tournaments during the 2026 season. In March, he accused the European-based tour of extorting players. Donald’s own role is also approaching a rare stretch, with the European captain set to become the first to serve three consecutive terms since Bernard Gallacher, who led Europe to one win and two defeats between 1991 and 1995.
For Europe, Rahm’s availability removes a major selection problem before the 2027 match at Limerick. For Donald, it keeps one of his most reliable Ryder Cup performers inside the pool when the team begins to take shape.
