What Jon Rahm’s agreement with DP World Tour means for LIV Golf contract, more for golf star’s future

With the LIV Tour on the ropes, Jon Rahm and the DP World Tour have announced an agreement to allow the Spanish golfer to play events on the European-based tour. 

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In recent months, speculation has surrounded LIV about its Saudi-backed funding being pulled. The potentiality became reality at the end of April, after the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia backed out.

While Rahm has said he has «several» years remaining on his LIV contract, he will now be eligible to appear on the DP World Tour. He had accrued more than $2 million in DP World Tour fines due to his participation in unsanctioned LIV Golf events beginning in 2024. However, the golfer has agreed to pay them and is expected to return to the European tour’s fairways soon.

Here’s the latest on what the Spaniard’s future may look like on the DP World Tour.

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Why Jon Rahm is signing with DP World Tour

On Tuesday, news broke that Rahm reached an agreement to play in DP World Tour events this season. This comes in light of LIV’s funding being recently pulled by their Saudi-backed investors.

Jon Rahm announces he has reached an agreement with the DP World Tour. Both sides made concessions, per Rahm.

A deal has been made. Expect to see Rahm out on the DP World Tour this season. pic.twitter.com/FkCXDw3Zfv

— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) May 5, 2026

In order to sign the deal with the European tour, Rahm had to pay more than $2 million in fines that accumulated due to his participation in unauthorized LIV Golf Series events. Prior to making that payment, he was ineligible to appear in the Ryder Cup for Team Europe. Now, the No. 21-ranked golfer can compete for Europe if selected for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in County Limerick, Ireland..

According to Golfweek, the DP World Tour released the following statement: «The DP World Tour and Jon Rahm have come to an agreement on conditional releases to play in conflicting tournaments on LIV Golf during the remainder of its 2026 season. This involves payment of all outstanding fines accrued from 2024 to date, along with participation in agreed DP World Tour tournaments (outside the majors) in the remainder of the 2026 season.»

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What is DP World Tour?

The DP World Tour, also known as the PGA European Tour, is the main golf tour in Europe. This is essentially the European equivalent of the PGA Tour in the U.S. 

The tour was created in 1972, according to their website. While the PGA Tour has the majority of its events in North America (with the exception of The British Open, for example), the DP World Tour lives up to its name by playing at courses around the globe. Several places the European-based tour travels to are Dubai, South Africa, China, Spain, and Scotland.

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Jon Rahm LIV Golf contract

In December 2023, Rahm signed a contract to join the LIV Golf that included a $300 million signing bonus. In addition to this mega deal, he has made north of $92 million in play payouts, according to Spotrac.

According to Rahm, he has «several years» on his contract remaining with LIV, per ESPN. Despite this, Rahm has reached an agreement to make appearances at the DP World Tour this season.

Jon Rahm when asked if he could get out of current LIV contract, if he wanted:

“I’ll say I’m also not a lawyer. I have no idea. I couldn’t tell you. I have very few talents in my life, and reading a contract or business are not two of them.”

“I have several years on my contract… pic.twitter.com/lvLtbetdd9

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— Underdog Golf (@UnderdogGolf) May 5, 2026

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