Jose Maria Olazabal suggests Team Europe could still be competitive in future Ryder Cups without LIV golfers, emphasizing that decisions to join LIV should have consequences, despite the potential absence of top players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton.
At Glance
‣ Jose Maria Olazabal, a Spanish golf legend, expresses that Team Europe could potentially compete in future Ryder Cups without any LIV golfers, emphasizing that decisions to join the LIV Golf League should carry consequences and not allow players the same rights as those on the PGA Tour or DP World Tour.
‣ Despite the potential absence of top players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton due to their move to the LIV Golf League, Olazabal suggests that new talents could emerge to fill their spots, indicating the team’s ability to remain competitive in the Ryder Cup.
‣ Rory McIlroy advocates for changes to the Ryder Cup eligibility rules to allow Jon Rahm, who has moved to the LIV Golf League, to participate in the 2025 Ryder Cup, highlighting the importance of Rahm’s presence to the team.
‣ Jon Rahm remains optimistic about meeting the minimum participation requirements for the DP World Tour events, which would allow him to avoid significant penalties and potentially maintain his eligibility for the Ryder Cup, despite his association with the LIV Golf League.
– “I respect everyone who has gone to @livgolf_league. The other part is what bothers me: if you make a decision, it must have consequences. You can’t expect to have the same rights as @PGATOUR or @DPWorldTour players".
– “They (LIV) just want a slice of the pie and reach the…
— HANDICAP 54 (@handicap_54)
Jose Maria Olazabal, a name that resonates with echoes of Spanish golfing greatness, has some thoughts. And they’re about the Ryder Cup. He reckons Team Europe might just manage fine without any LIV golfers. That’s if things shake up a bit – but not in the way you’re thinking.
Currently, those European players who’ve jumped ship to the LIV Golf League aren’t exactly shown the door. But, oh boy, do they pay a price. We’re talking hefty fines and sitting out multiple tournaments. It’s enough to make them hand in their tour card to dodge further hits. Once they do, though, they’re out of the Ryder Cup running for the blue and gold.
Take Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Paul Casey. They felt the sting of this policy. Yet, despite their absence, Team Europe didn’t exactly crumble at the latest showdown. Under Luke Donald’s leadership, they clinched a sweet 16.5-11.5 victory in Rome.
But here’s the kicker. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, two pillars of that triumph, have since been lured by the Saudi-funded circuit. They’ve joined Legion XIII and even bagged a win in Mexico for the 2024 season’s first team event.
Rory McIlroy, not one to mince words, has been vocal about needing a rule revamp. He’s adamant about having Rahm on board for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. “Jon’s gotta be there,” he says, “so it’s time for a rewrite on those eligibility rules. No question.”
Olazabal, clutching the Ryder Cup back in 2012, might beg to differ. The two-time Masters champ, speaking on the Golf sin Etiquetas podcast, aired some reservations. Sure, he respects the LIV Golf defectors. But decisions have consequences, he argues. You can’t just jump ship and expect the same privileges as those who stayed.
He’s wary of changing the Ryder Cup Europe rules too hastily. Missing stars like Rahm and Hatton could leave a gap, sure. But then he muses, what if new talents emerge? “What if you suddenly get three Ludvig Abergs, the Hjogaard [twins]?” he ponders. Maybe, just maybe, Europe could still hold its ground.
Olazabal’s tweets echo his podcast sentiments. Decisions should carry weight. And as for LIV’s ambitions? They’re eyeing a piece of the pie, reaching for…
With seven months till the Ryder Cup qualification window reopens, there’s chatter. Talks between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabian PIF hint at a possible reconciliation. This could pave the way back for Rahm and others, assuming the stalemate ends.
Rahm, for his part, remains hopeful. He’s eyeing a workaround to meet the DP World Tour’s minimum event participation. “Playing events is definitely a possibility,” he says. The Spanish Open and the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai are on his wishlist. “There’s certainly events I’d like to play,” he adds, optimistic about his chances.
