The 2025 Ryder Cup is almost around the corner, and the captains have already begun their choosing. However, as it turns out, unlike the other golf professionals, the LIV Golfers had a huge condition attached to becoming a part of the biennial event. To play at Bethpage next year, players like Jon Rahm, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, and others were bound to pay fines for being a part of LIV Golf and then had to serve a suspension.

Only then will they qualify to be part of the event with captains Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley. And well, that was not all. They must also play four DPWT events in a year to qualify. That too does not guarantee the spot, rather, it only qualifies them for one. But as it turns out, the tables might have turned for the LIV stars to be a part of it. The Saudi Arabian backers of LIV Golf have announced abandoning their proposed peace deal with the PGA Tour in favor of creating a lucrative new worldwide circuit in partnership with the DP World Tour.

While PGA Tour sources maintain that negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) to unify the elite men’s game are ongoing, the slow pace of progress has caused frustration. This alternative plan would see the DP World Tour re-emerge as a competitor to the PGA Tour while deepening its ties with LIV Golf’s financial backers.

Bloomberg Economics took to their official X account a few hours ago and confirmed the news. “Saudi-backed LIV Golf and Europe’s DP World Tour are said to be considering a potential tie-up”, they wrote.

While the news has indeed turned out to be a turning point in most of the careers of the LIV stars, as it turns out, they were already set to abide by the rules to be a part of the Ryder Cup team.

Jon Rahm set to debut at the 2025 Dubai Desert Classic

Jon Rahm was initially not allowed to play in the 2024 DPWT season due to unpaid dues. However, he found a clever workaround by filing an appeal. This action delayed the enforcement of the $1 million-plus penalty until 2025, effectively allowing him to sidestep the sanctions temporarily. As a result, he remains eligible to compete in DP World Tour events. Additionally, the Andalucia Masters was the only DPWT event he played this year.

He was duped to return, but he welcomed his newborn son and was dedicated to his family, and thus withdrew. However, he had confirmed his plans to begin his 2025 DPWT campaign by making a debut at the Hero Dubai Classic. “This is an event that I have heard a lot about and I am looking forward to making my Hero Dubai Desert Classic debut in January,” Rah said.

If the merger comes into place, though, his participation will no longer be necessary for him to qualify. But he probably still will. After all, he’s excited for it. And it’s a win for us too. More of the Spaniard to watch!