Jon Rahm thinks LIV golfers should be Ryder Cup eligible

If the decision was left up to him, Jon Rahm wouldn’t allow politics to stand in the way of the Ryder Cup. He believes the best players in the world — whether they’re members of the PGA Tour or LIV Golf — should be permitted to participate in the biennial event.

Ahead of the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, Rahm said he was disappointed that fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia wouldn’t be eligible to play in this year’s event because of his connections to LIV.

“I’m going to miss him. We had a great partnership at Whistling Straits,” Rahm said, per ESPN.

“I’m going to mention history again one more time. A Spanish duo in the Ryder Cup, I think, to me is embedded into the roots of the Ryder Cup. Look what Seve [Ballesteros] and [Jose Maria Olazabal] were able to do throughout their partnership, right. So it’s a little sad to me that politics have gotten in the way of such a beautiful event.”

Garcia owns Europe’s record for points scored in the Ryder Cup. He finished 3-0 in the three matches he played with Rahm during the 2021 version of the event.

At some point down the line, the rules might change. But, for now, Rahm expressed some frustration that not all the best players get the same opportunity.

“Again, it’s the best Europeans against the best Americans, period. And whatever is going on, who is playing LIV and who is not playing LIV, to me, shouldn’t matter,” said Rahm.

“It’s whoever is best suited to represent the European side. And I have a hard time to believe that the best player Europe has ever had, the most successful player Europe has had on the Ryder Cup, isn’t fit to be on the team.”

Rory McIlroy weighs in on Ryder Cup debate

Rory McIlroy doesn’t quite see eye-to-eye with Rahm on this situation. The PGA Tour star doesn’t believe that European stars — such as Garcia — should be allowed to participate in the Ryder Cup.

But McIlroy made an interesting admission. He does think PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka earned his spot on the United States team.

“I certainly think Brooks deserves to be on the United States team,” McIlroy said.

“I think with how he’s played, I mean, he’s second in the US standings, only played two counting events. Don’t know if there’s anyone else on the LIV roster that would make the team on merit and how they’re playing. But Brooks is definitely a guy that I think deserves to be on the US team.”

Earlier this year, Koepka expressed in playing in the event.

“I have no idea (if LIV golfers) are eligible,” Koepka said in April. “And it’s not up to me so I can’t make that decision, but if they choose us, we’ll be ready to go.”

This year’s Ryder Cup takes place at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, just outside Rome. The event runs from Friday, Sept. 29 through Sunday, Oct. 1.